What Samaritan House and Catholic Charities shelters provide
Samaritan House and Catholic Charities both run emergency shelters in different regions, but they operate on the same basic model: a bed, meals, and case management services while you work on housing or address the crisis that brought you there. Neither charges a nightly fee. Both take walk-ins, though some locations also accept referrals from outreach workers or social services.
The shelter provides a safe place to sleep, usually in a shared room or dormitory setting. You get breakfast and dinner, and sometimes a bag lunch for the next day. Most importantly, you meet with a case manager who helps you figure out next steps — whether that's connecting you to permanent housing programs, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, or income support. The shelter is not meant to be permanent; the goal is to move you into stable housing within weeks or months, depending on your situation and what resources exist in your area.
Rules are strict: no drugs or alcohol on the premises, no weapons, no violence. Curfew is usually early evening, and you must leave in the morning. Some shelters have daytime hours when you can return; others close during the day. Pets and partners may or may not be allowed depending on the location and the shelter's current capacity.
Key Takeaways
- Samaritan House and Catholic Charities shelters provide a bed, meals, and case management at no cost, but rules are strict and stays are temporary.
- You can usually walk in without an appointment, though some locations accept referrals from outreach workers or 211 coordinators.
- Case managers connect you to housing programs, benefits, treatment services, and income support — the shelter's main job is moving you toward stability.
- Each shelter has different rules about pets, partners, curfew times, and daytime access, so call ahead or ask when you arrive.
- If a shelter is full, staff can tell you about other beds in your area and may help you get there.
How to find the specific shelter location near you
Samaritan House operates shelters in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily in San Mateo County. Catholic Charities runs shelters across multiple states and regions, so the location and services vary widely depending on where you are. You cannot call a national number and reach a shelter; you need to find the one in your city or county.
The fastest way is to call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone, no coins needed). Tell them you need emergency shelter tonight, and they will tell you which shelters have beds open right now, their addresses, and how to get there. They can also tell you whether the shelter accepts walk-ins or requires a referral. If 211 is busy or you cannot reach them, go directly to the shelter's address during intake hours — usually late afternoon or early evening.
You can also search online for "Samaritan House shelter" or "Catholic Charities shelter" plus your city name. The shelter's website will list the address, phone number, intake times, and rules. If you call ahead, be honest about your situation — staff need to know if you have medical needs, are traveling with children, or have a pet, because some shelters cannot accommodate everyone.
What to bring and what happens when you arrive
Bring a photo ID if you have one — a driver's license, passport, or state ID. If you do not have ID, most shelters will still take you, but having it speeds up intake. Bring any medications you take regularly, in their original bottles if possible. If you have a prescription, bring the bottle or a copy of the prescription. Bring a change of clothes and any personal items you need, though the shelter will have rules about what you can keep in your bunk.
When you arrive, you will go through intake: staff will ask your name, date of birth, where you are from, and why you need shelter. They will ask about any medical conditions, mental health history, or substance use — this is not to judge you but to make sure they can keep you safe and connect you to the right services. They will also ask if you have a case manager already or if you need one assigned. This process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.
After intake, you will be shown to your bunk, given a meal schedule and house rules, and told when to meet with your case manager. The case manager meeting usually happens the next day. Bring any documents you have: birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of income, lease or eviction notice, court papers. The case manager will use these to figure out what programs you might get into and what paperwork you need to gather.
How case management works and what comes next
Your case manager is your main contact at the shelter. They meet with you at least once a week, usually more often at the start. Their job is to understand your situation — why you are homeless, what barriers you face, what you want to do next — and then connect you to the right programs. If you need permanent supportive housing, they will help you explore. If you need mental health treatment or substance abuse services, they will make referrals. If you need income support, they will help you understand what you might be may be able to access for.
The case manager will also help you gather documents. Many housing programs require proof of income, a Social Security number, and a background check. If you do not have these things, the case manager knows how to get them — they can help you explore for a replacement Social Security card, get a background check waived or explained, or find programs that do not require certain documents.
While you are in the shelter, you are expected to work toward moving out. That might mean attending job training, going to treatment appointments, meeting with a housing counselor, or filling out applications. The shelter is not a place to stay indefinitely; most programs expect you to move within 30 to 90 days. If you are not making progress, staff will talk to you about what is blocking you and what you need to do differently.
Shelter rules, curfew, and what gets you asked to leave
Every shelter has a written set of rules. The most common ones are: no drugs or alcohol on the premises (this includes being under the influence), no weapons, no violence or threats, no sexual contact, no stealing, and respect for other residents' space and belongings. Breaking these rules can get you asked to leave when ready, sometimes with a ban from returning for a set period.
Curfew is usually between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and you must be in your bunk by then. Lights out is typically 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. You must leave the shelter in the morning, usually between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., and you cannot return until intake time in the afternoon or evening. Some shelters have a daytime drop-in area where you can sit, use a phone, or access a computer; others close completely during the day.
If you violate a rule, the first time is usually a warning. The second time, you may be suspended for a night or a few days. A serious violation — violence, weapons, or dealing drugs — gets you banned when ready. If you are banned, ask the case manager or staff about other shelters in the area. Being banned from one shelter does not mean you cannot go to another.
If the shelter is full or you cannot stay there
Shelters fill up, especially in winter and in areas with high homelessness. If the shelter you go to is full, staff will not turn you away without help. They will call other shelters in the area to find you a bed, or they will give you the phone numbers and addresses of other places to try. In some cities, there is a coordinated entry system where one phone number or office knows which shelters have beds open; 211 can connect you to that system.
If you cannot stay at a particular shelter because of a rule violation, a medical issue, or a conflict with another resident, ask to speak to a supervisor. Explain your situation. Sometimes there is a way to work it out, or staff can refer you to a different shelter that might be a better fit. If you have a disability or medical need, mention it — shelters are required to make reasonable accommodations, and that might mean a different bunk location, a quieter area, or access to medical staff.
If you are traveling with children, a partner, or a pet, tell staff when ready. Some shelters have family units or partner rooms. Some allow pets; others do not. If the shelter you arrive at cannot accommodate your situation, they will help you find one that can, or they will connect you to a family shelter or transitional housing program.
How to connect to permanent housing from the shelter
The shelter's case manager will help you understand what permanent housing programs exist in your area. These might include rapid rehousing (short-term rental information while you stabilize), permanent supportive housing (subsidized apartments with ongoing case management), or housing vouchers (Section 8). The programs vary by region, and so do the wait lists and requirements.
To get into most programs, you will need to be assessed for vulnerability — a standardized tool that looks at your age, health, length of homelessness, and barriers to housing. The case manager can do this assessment or refer you to someone who can. You will also need to provide documents: ID, proof of income or benefits, and sometimes a background check or credit report. If you have barriers — a criminal record, bad credit, or a history of eviction — the case manager will help you understand how that affects your options and what programs might still work for you.
Some programs move fast; you could be in an apartment within weeks. Others have long wait lists. The case manager will be honest about timelines and will help you understand what to expect. While you wait, you stay in the shelter. If you are making progress toward housing, most shelters will keep you longer than the standard 30 to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to give my real name when I check in?
Most shelters ask for your real name and date of birth for safety and record-keeping. If you are fleeing domestic violence or have safety concerns, tell staff — they can note that in your file and may be able to use a different name in shared spaces. But for the intake process itself, honesty helps the case manager connect you to benefits and housing programs that require your real identity.
What if I have a mental health condition or take psychiatric medication?
Tell the intake staff and your case manager. The shelter can usually store your medications safely and remind you to take them. If you need mental health services, the case manager will connect you to a counselor or psychiatrist. Some shelters have mental health staff on site; others refer you to community clinics. Do not stop taking medication because you are in the shelter.
Can I leave the shelter during the day and come back?
No, you must leave in the morning and cannot return until intake time in the afternoon or evening. Some shelters have a daytime drop-in area where you can stay, use a phone, or access a computer. Ask staff about this when you arrive. If you have a job or an appointment during the day, tell your case manager — they may be able to arrange an exception or connect you to daytime services.
What if I get sick or have a medical emergency while in the shelter?
Tell a staff member when ready. The shelter will call an ambulance if it is an emergency. If it is not an emergency but you need medical care, the case manager can connect you to a clinic or urgent care. Some shelters have a nurse on staff. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or asthma, make sure staff knows so they can help you manage it.
How long can I stay in the shelter?
Most emergency shelters expect you to stay 30 to 90 days while you work toward permanent housing. If you are making progress — explore for housing, attending treatment, gathering documents — the shelter may keep you longer. If you are not making progress, staff will talk to you about what needs to change. The exact timeline depends on the shelter and your situation.