Indiana guidance with Louisville-area examples. Check which county each service covers.
Need a place to sleep tonight
Shelter help starts with a phone call. This page does not list shelter street addresses. A call keeps you from a wasted trip.
If this is an emergency
- 911: Call 911 if someone is in danger right now, or for a fire, a gas leak, or a medical emergency.
- 988: Call or text 988 if you are in emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide.
- 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 to talk with a person who can help you find food, housing, and other help near you.
- Indiana FSSA Division of Mental Health and Addiction: 988 Indiana says: “call or text 9-8-8” (checked 2026-10-07)
- Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “they know they can dial 2-1-1 or visit our website” (checked 2026-10-07)
Step 1: Call 2-1-1 first
Ask a community navigator to help you find a shelter near you and check if there is room.
- Indiana Legal Services: Behind On My Rent (not linked) says: “speak with a community navigator by calling 2-1-1” (checked 2026-10-07)
- Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “they know they can dial 2-1-1 or visit our website” (checked 2026-10-07)
Step 2: Ask for the coordinated entry access point
Coordinated entry is how the state's homeless system connects people to housing help. Ask 2-1-1 for the access point for your county.
- Indiana Legal Services: Behind On My Rent (not linked) says: “To find an Access Point for the CES near you, contact 2-1-1.” (checked 2026-10-07)
- Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority: Coordinated Entry System says: “Find immediate housing” (checked 2026-10-07)
Step 3: One regional example
Region 13 includes Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Orange, Scott, and Washington counties. For another county, ask 2-1-1 which access point serves you.
- Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority: Regional Structure says: “Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Orange, Scott, and Washington counties” (checked 2026-10-07)
Step 4: Expect questions
You may be asked questions about your situation. Help is set by need, so those in the most danger or with the greatest need may be helped first.
- Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority: Coordinated Entry System says: “Coordinated entry processes help communities prioritize assistance based on vulnerability and severity of service needs” (checked 2026-10-07)
Step 5: If you are afraid of someone
Call 911 if you are in danger right now. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. Tell the 2-1-1 navigator you need a safe place so they can guide you carefully. Do not share your location on social media.
- Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “they know they can dial 2-1-1 or visit our website” (checked 2026-10-07)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Home says: “call us at 800.799.SAFE (7233)” (checked 2026-10-07)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Home says: “Text “START” to 88788” (checked 2026-10-07)
What to bring
- A photo ID if you have one
- Any medicines you take
- A charged phone
Confirm before you go. Beds change every day. Do not travel to a place until a person has told you there is room.
This guide is information, not legal advice or a promise of help. NOLO does not decide who qualifies. Rules and offices change.