Homeless Resources in Allen County, Indiana

Last Updated: August 2026

If you are homeless or at risk of losing your housing in Allen County, help is available for emergency shelter, meals, housing assistance and longer-term support. Different shelters serve different groups, so the best place to call depends on whether you are a single adult, a family with children, a veteran or fleeing domestic violence.

Quick Answer

If you need shelter or housing help and aren’t sure where to start:

Brightpoint Coordinated Entry
Phone: 260-423-3546 ext. 332

Coordinated Entry helps connect people experiencing homelessness with appropriate local shelter and housing resources.

You can also dial 211 for free, confidential referrals to shelters and other Allen County assistance.

Emergency Shelter for Men

The Rescue Mission

Ft Wayne Rescue Mission

404 E. Washington Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-426-7357

The Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter and basic-needs assistance for men experiencing homelessness, along with longer-term programs designed to help residents move toward stable housing.

Services include:

  • Emergency shelter

  • Meals

  • Showers and basic necessities

  • Case management

  • Recovery programs

  • Employment and housing support

The downtown Rescue Mission also operates as an important daytime resource for people experiencing homelessness. During summer 2026, the City lists it as open 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. seven days a week, with meals at 7:00 a.m., noon and 5:00 p.m.

Emergency Shelter for Women & Children

Charis House

Charis House

5920 Decatur Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Phone: 260-426-8123

Charis House is part of The Rescue Mission and provides shelter and residential programs for women and children experiencing homelessness.

Services can include:

  • Emergency shelter

  • Meals

  • Case management

  • Housing assistance

  • Employment support

  • Longer-term residential programs

Call before going to ask about current space and intake procedures.

Shelter for Single Women

St. Joseph Missions

Josephine’s Place

3505 Lake Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: 260-426-7358

St. Joseph Missions provides emergency short-term shelter specifically for single women experiencing homelessness.

Because shelter availability can change quickly, call before going.

Emergency Shelter for Families

Just Neighbors

Interfaith Hospitality Network

2925 E. State Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: 260-458-9772

Just Neighbors provides emergency shelter specifically for families experiencing homelessness.

To qualify, you must be pregnant or have a minor child under age 18 in your care. The shelter currently has private family rooms for its 45-day program as well as rooms for immediate overnight stays.

Call 260-458-9772 for an initial phone assessment.

Families who qualify can currently call between 1:00–3:00 p.m. daily to check availability for the overnight program.

Transitional Housing for Families

Vincent Village

Vincent House

2827 Holton Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Phone: 260-456-4172

Vincent Village specializes in helping families experiencing homelessness move toward permanent housing.

Its programs include:

  • Transitional shelter

  • Case management

  • Rental housing

  • Employment assistance

  • Financial education

  • Transportation assistance

  • Family support

Vincent Village is the area’s transitional-housing program specifically focused on families, including single-parent and two-parent households with children.

Shelter for Veterans

Richard Lugar Safe Haven

Volunteers of America The Richard Lugar Safe Haven

2424 Fairfield Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Phone: 260-387-5295

The Richard Lugar Safe Haven serves veterans experiencing homelessness and provides shelter along with case management and connections to veteran services.

If you’re a veteran without stable housing, mention your veteran status when contacting Coordinated Entry or 211 because additional veteran-specific housing programs may be available. Fort Wayne’s current homelessness plan includes HUD-VASH and other veteran services among the local housing resources.

Pregnant & Homeless

A Mother’s Hope

A Mother’s Hope

5322 N. Clinton Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Phone: 260-444-4975

A Mother’s Hope provides residential support for pregnant women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The program provides housing along with support intended to help mothers work toward long-term stability.

Call to ask about eligibility and current availability.

Fleeing Domestic Violence

If homelessness is connected to domestic violence, contact YWCA Northeast Indiana.

YWCA of Northeast Indiana

24/7 Crisis Line: 800-441-4073

YWCA provides confidential domestic-violence services including emergency shelter, safety planning and advocacy.

Allen County Domestic Violence Help

If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

About to Become Homeless?

Don’t wait until you’re already sleeping outside or in your vehicle to ask for help.

If you’re facing:

  • Eviction

  • Loss of housing

  • Utility shutoff

  • Unsafe housing

  • Sudden loss of income

  • Temporary displacement

contact Brightpoint Coordinated Entry at 260-423-3546 ext. 332.

Fort Wayne specifically directs people facing homelessness to Coordinated Entry for information about shelters and other social services.

You can also check:

Allen County Housing Help

Allen County Rent Assistance

Need Food?

The Rescue Mission provides meals to people in need, and Allen County has numerous food pantries and grocery-distribution programs.

Find Allen County Food Pantries

Community Harvest Food Bank and the Associated Churches Neighborhood Food Network are two major local food resources.

Need Medical Care?

Being homeless doesn’t mean you have to go without routine health care.

Allen County has free and reduced-cost medical providers, including Matthew 25 Health and Care, Neighborhood Health and Alliance Health Centers.

Find Free & Low-Cost Clinics in Allen County

Alliance Health Centers also operates a health-care location at The Rescue Mission.

Need Clothing?

Free clothing, coats and other basic necessities may be available through local churches and community organizations.

Find Allen County Clothing Closets

Dial 211 if you need a specific item such as work clothes, shoes, children’s clothing or winter coats.

Help Finding Permanent Housing

Emergency shelter is only one part of the local homeless-services system.

Brightpoint’s Coordinated Entry system is particularly important if you need longer-term housing assistance. Brightpoint is the lead agency for Allen County’s Coordinated Entry system and connects eligible residents with programs that may include Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing.

Brightpoint: 260-423-3546 ext. 332

What to Bring to a Shelter

Requirements vary, but if you have them, bring:

  • Photo ID

  • Social Security card

  • Birth certificates

  • Medications

  • Insurance cards

  • Children’s documents

  • Important court or housing paperwork

  • Phone and charger

  • A small amount of clothing

If you don’t have these documents, still call. Ask the shelter what is actually required for intake rather than assuming you can’t receive help.

Shelter Space Can Change Daily

Shelter beds can fill quickly.

If one shelter tells you it’s full:

  • Ask when to call back.

  • Ask whether they know of another shelter with space.

  • Contact Coordinated Entry.

  • Dial 211.

  • Explain if children are with you.

  • Mention pregnancy, veteran status or domestic violence because specialized programs may apply.

Don’t assume that one shelter being full means there are no other options.

Hot & Cold Weather Help

Fort Wayne coordinates additional resources during periods of dangerous weather.

During summer 2026, cooling locations include organizations such as The Rescue Mission, Salvation Army and other community sites. The City also operated expanded emergency shelter during the 2025–26 winter season.

Because these programs change with the weather and season, dial 211 or check current City of Fort Wayne information when extreme temperatures occur.

Local Tip

If you don’t know which shelter fits your situation, call Brightpoint Coordinated Entry first at 260-423-3546 ext. 332.

Tell them whether you are:

  • A single man

  • A single woman

  • A family with children

  • Pregnant

  • A veteran

  • Fleeing domestic violence

That information matters because Allen County shelters serve different populations, and calling the right program first can save valuable time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can a homeless man stay in Fort Wayne?

Ft Wayne Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter and other services for men experiencing homelessness.

Where can a homeless woman stay?

Options include Charis House for women and children and St. Joseph Missions for single women.

Where can a homeless family stay?

Interfaith Hospitality Network provides emergency shelter for qualifying families with children, while Vincent House provides transitional housing and longer-term support for families.

Who should I call if I don’t know where to go?

Call Brightpoint Coordinated Entry at 260-423-3546 ext. 332 or dial 211.

What if I’m about to be evicted but I’m not homeless yet?

Contact Coordinated Entry and begin looking for housing and rent assistance before you lose your housing.

Allen County Rent Assistance

Related Pages

Official Resources

Summary

Allen County has different homeless shelters and programs depending on your situation. The Rescue Mission serves men, Charis House serves women and children, Just Neighbors provides emergency shelter for families, Vincent Village provides transitional housing for families, and specialized resources are available for veterans, pregnant women and people fleeing domestic violence. If you’re not sure where to go, start with Brightpoint Coordinated Entry at 260-423-3546 ext. 332 or dial 211.