Wondering how to start a homeless shelter but not sure where to begin? This guide covers everything you need to know – from securing funding and partnerships to creating programs that last. Read on to learn more!
![How to Start a Homeless Shelter in 14 Steps [2025]](https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/how-to-start-a-homeless-shelter.png.webp)
In 2024 alone, 771,480 people in the U.S. faced homelessness. Worldwide, it’s estimated that over 150 million people are unhoused.
Behind every number is a person without a safe place to rest, and communities everywhere are searching for solutions. One approach that makes an immediate difference is opening a homeless shelter.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to start a homeless shelter in 14 actionable steps. Let’s get started!
If you’ve landed on this blog, you’ve probably already identified a need in your community. But that’s just the start. Before diving into buildings or budgets, you need to step back and really listen – every community has its own story when it comes to homelessness.
Some areas struggle most with families. Others see higher numbers of veterans, young people, or individuals battling with addiction. To get a clearer picture:
A needs assessment shows you where the biggest gaps are. Maybe your city has shelters for men, but nothing for women and children. Or maybe there’s an emergency shelter but no transitional housing.
Knowing what’s missing makes sure your shelter addresses real needs, not just perceived issues.
Once you know the needs, decide which kind of shelter makes sense for your community. Here are the most common types:
The type of shelter you choose shapes everything that follows: staffing, programs, partnerships, and more.
Location, location, location – as they say in real estate. The spot you choose can make or break your homeless shelter.
It needs to be safe, accessible, and zoned properly for the kind of work you want to do. Ideally, it’s close to public transport, hospitals, schools, and job opportunities.
Easier said than done, though, as finding a property often takes some creativity. For example, some nonprofits have renovated abandoned schools or motels. Others partner with churches or community centers that have extra space.
Pro tip: Putting a call out on social media can result in surprising leads!
Once you’ve found a potential space, talk to the community about it. Neighbors will have questions, and sometimes concerns. Being upfront about your mission, safety policies, and the positive impact you’ll bring will help.
Think of your mission statement as the heartbeat of your shelter. It’s short, clear, and tells people exactly why you exist and what you do. Ideally, it should guide your decisions and rally supporters.
A good mission statement speaks to both the people you’re serving and the community supporting you.
Here’s a real-life example, where Homeless Entrepreneur includes their mission on their Donorbox-powered donation form for maximum visibility:
Start Fundraising with Donorbox
Need help crafting your mission statement? Download our free mission and vision worksheet to get started.
You can’t run a shelter in isolation – you’ll need local government on your side for zoning, permits, and maybe even funding. Agencies like housing departments or social services can also connect your shelter to bigger support networks.
Partnerships with other organizations and the community at large are just as valuable. Food banks can supply meals. High schools can help with tutoring. Health clinics can provide medical services. Even small businesses might pitch in with furniture, clothes, or hygiene products.
Take time to show up at community meetings, meet with officials, and join local coalitions. These relationships often mean more resources and a stronger foundation for your shelter.
Nonprofits thrive under good leadership, and that starts with your board of directors. These are the people who will guide your mission, make key decisions, and help you – the founder – stay accountable.
Look for people with a mix of skills. For example, you may need someone with financial expertise, someone with fundraising or marketing experience, and someone who knows the local government or social services scene.
And don’t forget lived experience! Having a board member who’s experienced homelessness themselves can bring a unique perspective.
Bonus resource: Check out our blog on finding board members for more direction.
A shelter isn’t just a roof over people’s heads. The design and layout can make a huge difference in how residents feel and (for some) heal.
Whether you intend to sit down with an architect or plan to sketch it out yourself, make sure to keep privacy in mind. Storage space is also important – having a secure spot for personal belongings is essential.
Consider separate areas for families, women, or youth if your shelter will serve diverse groups. Safety is paramount, too, so prioritize clear rules, good lighting, and secure entry systems.
More and more shelters are embracing trauma-informed design. That means calm colors, flexible spaces, and an environment that feels welcoming instead of institutional.
It’s about dignity as much as function. Remember, when people feel safe and respected, they’re already in a better place to start rebuilding their lives.
Registering your shelter as a charitable organization is one of the least glamorous steps, but it’s critical. You’ll likely want to secure 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which involves filing IRS Form 1023 and getting your EIN.
Be sure to check local requirements, too. Think zoning permits, health department approvals, insurance, and business licenses. On top of that, prepare intake forms for residents and financial policies for transparency.
Getting the paperwork right early on will likely save major headaches later. Plus, it builds trust with early funders and partners who want to know you’re legit.
Bonus resource: We’ve got a dedicated guide on how to start a 501(c)(3) that covers all the steps in detail.
How much money do you need to start a homeless shelter? Unfortunately, there’s no sure-fire answer because there are so many variables. A very broad estimate could range from tens of thousands all the way up to several million dollars.
Naturally, opening and running a shelter takes money – for renovations, staff, utilities, food, bedding, and more.
There is some good news, though: there are lots of ways to fundraise if you’re strategic. Some options include:
Create a simple online donation form or page to collect contributions. Platforms like Donorbox let you set up heavily customizable forms in minutes.
See how Healthcare for the Homeless in Houston uses Donorbox to collect secure online donations that support their medical and shelter services:
Raise Funds for Your Shelter with Donorbox
Crowdfunding is excellent for urgent fundraising – think startup costs, seasonal needs like winter coats, and more. Peer-to-peer takes it further by letting supporters set up their own fundraising pages to rally friends and family.
Fundraising events do more than just raise money. They raise awareness and help you connect with supporters and partners, as well.
Community dinners, galas, sleep-outs, and walk-a-thons are just a few ideas to get you started, but we’ve also got a full list of fundraising event ideas for you.
Sell tickets online and track attendance easily with Donorbox Events. Pair that with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk to collect donations in-person, and your fundraiser becomes a powerful tool for both income and engagement.
We love how Genesis Joy House Homeless Shelter in Georgia is using Donorbox Events to sell tickets to their No Roof City Sleep Out:
Don’t be afraid to approach local businesses for sponsorships or in-kind donations! Some may be willing to donate furniture, food, or even staff time. Foundations may provide grants or even multi-year funding.
Did you know that you can use grants to start a homeless shelter? Government grants (like HUD) can be significant, but they do take effort.
You’ll need to prepare detailed budgets, clear goals, and solid evaluation plans. Check out our guide to writing grants for some guidance, but first prize would be getting a hand from an experienced grant writer.
Once you’ve secured funding, it’s time to turn your plans into reality! Most shelters begin with renovation – old buildings can often be repurposed. Renovations usually mean upgrading plumbing, electrical, and accessibility, plus adding safety systems like sprinklers.
But if your budget allows, new construction does give you more control. You can actively design new spaces that follow some of the trauma-informed principles we discussed earlier.
Some shelters understandably start smaller by partnering with churches or civic groups to use donated spaces. This lets you open your doors quickly while working toward a permanent facility.
Whatever route you take, factor in contractors, permits, inspections, and ongoing maintenance – the whole shebang.
Beds and meals are vital, but as you already know, they’re only the start. The real goal is to help people move from crisis to stability. Cue programs and services like:
While it’s not always possible in the beginning, ensuring your shelter offers holistic services as well as a bed and food gives people the best chance of finding their footing again.
It goes without saying that you can’t run a homeless shelter on your own! You’ll likely need to recruit case managers, volunteer coordinators, cooks, admin staff, and security.
Volunteers can help with meals, training, tutoring, or fundraising.
Remember that proper training is key. Staff and volunteers should know about trauma-informed care and the importance of confidentiality.
Bonus resource: Take a look at this blog on how to find and recruit volunteers.
Even the best shelter won’t survive if nobody knows about it. Marketing is all-important for helping you connect people to your mission.
Use social media to share resident success stories (if you have permission). Create newsletters to keep donors in the loop. You can also partner with local media to raise awareness of homelessness in your community.
Lastly, make sure your website is clear and donor-friendly, with an easy way to give online.
Raising startup funds is really just the beginning. You’re going to need to build consistent, reliable financial support. Recurring giving is one of the best ways to do this.
Donorbox makes setting up online donation forms/pages with recurring giving options simple. Choose from up to eight intervals, including weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly.
Check out how Shelter the Homeless in Chicago has indicated “monthly” as their preferred giving interval on their Donorbox-powered form:
Accept Recurring Donations with Donorbox
Recurring donations lead to steady income, which means less time worrying about bills and more time helping residents in need.
Starting a homeless shelter is undoubtedly challenging. But it’s also one of the most powerful ways to change lives.
Beyond providing a warm place to sleep, your shelter can offer dignity, stability, and the tools for long-term independence.
The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. From your very first fundraiser to building sustainable recurring giving programs, Donorbox is here to help power your mission.
Get started today for free! And check out the rest of our Nonprofit Blog for more fundraising ideas and strategies.
Costs can range widely – from tens of thousands for a very small shelter to hundreds of thousands or even millions for larger facilities. It all depends on location, size, and the types of services you plan to offer.
Most are. Becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit gives shelters access to grants, tax-deductible donations, and more community support.
Begin by applying for grants, creating partnerships, and raising funds online or in person. Getting in-kind donations like food or bedding can also help.
Fern is a journalist-turned-editor with 8 years of writing experience, now using that skill set to help nonprofits share their stories and connect with donors. Along with her editorial work, Fern volunteers with animal welfare organizations and has spent years fostering and rehabilitating rescue parrots.
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Fern Bamber