What Covenant House is and who runs it

Covenant House is a network of shelters and crisis services for young people experiencing homelessness, run by a nonprofit organization of the same name. The organization operates shelters in 32 cities across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Each location provides emergency shelter, meals, and basic services to young people under 21 at no cost.

Covenant House does not require proof of income, citizenship status, or parental consent to stay. The organization's stated mission is to provide when ready safety and then connect young people to longer-term housing, education, employment, and family services. Shelters operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The organization receives funding from private donations, foundations, and government contracts — not from individual residents. You do not need to pay to stay, and staff do not ask for payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Covenant House shelters accept young people under 21 without requiring proof of income, ID, or parental permission.
  • Stays are typically short-term (30 days or less), though extensions are sometimes possible depending on the location and your situation.
  • Each shelter provides a bed, meals, and access to case managers who can connect you to housing programs, job training, and other services in your area.
  • You can walk in without calling ahead at most locations, though some shelters ask you to call first during certain hours.
  • Rules at shelters include curfews, no weapons or drugs, and participation in basic programs, though staff work with residents on individual needs.

How to find the Covenant House location nearest you

Covenant House operates shelters in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Houston, and others. The organization's website lists all active locations with their addresses and phone numbers. You can also call the national hotline at 1-800-999-9999 to find the shelter closest to you and learn about services at that specific location.

Each shelter operates independently, so services, capacity, and policies vary by city. Calling ahead tells you whether the shelter has open beds that night and what to bring when you arrive. Some locations have walk-in hours; others require a phone call first. The staff on the phone can tell you which applies to the shelter you plan to visit.

What happens when you arrive at a Covenant House shelter

When you walk in or call, staff will ask basic questions about your age, where you slept last night, and whether you have any when ready medical or safety needs. This intake process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. You do not need ID, proof of homelessness, or any documents — staff take your word for your situation.

After intake, you receive a bed assignment, access to showers and clean clothes, and a meal. Staff will also assign you a case manager or counselor who works with you during your stay. This person helps you think through next steps: whether you want to reconnect with family, look for housing, enroll in school, or find work. Case managers know local resources and can make referrals to other programs.

On your first night, staff explain the shelter's rules and daily schedule. Most shelters have a curfew (often 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.), require residents to be out during the day (usually 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and provide structured meals at set times. You will also learn about programs offered at that location — these might include GED classes, job training, mental health counseling, or substance use support.

Length of stay and what happens after

Most Covenant House shelters provide emergency shelter for up to 30 days. Some locations allow extensions beyond 30 days if you are actively working with your case manager on a housing plan or other goal. Extensions are not may provide and depend on bed availability and your progress toward moving to the next step.

Before your stay ends, your case manager works with you on a discharge plan. This might mean connecting you to a longer-term shelter, transitional housing program, family reunification services, or independent housing with ongoing support. Covenant House also runs some of its own transitional housing programs in certain cities, which serve young people who have completed emergency shelter and need a longer runway to stability.

If you leave the shelter and later need to return, you can. There is no permanent ban for most residents. Staff understand that housing instability is not linear, and many young people cycle through shelter multiple times before finding stable housing.

Services available at Covenant House shelters

Beyond a bed and meals, Covenant House shelters typically offer mental health counseling, substance use assessment and referral, medical care or referral, and help with documentation (birth certificates, ID cards, Social Security cards). Many locations have computers and phones you can use to search for jobs or housing, and staff can help you practice interviews.

Educational services vary by location but often include GED preparation, high school enrollment support, and college information. Some shelters run job training programs in partnership with local employers. Reproductive health services, LGBTQ+ support groups, and trauma-informed counseling are available at many locations.

If you have a child or are pregnant, some Covenant House locations have specialized programs for young parents. If you have a pet, some shelters allow animals or can connect you to pet boarding services so you do not have to choose between your safety and your animal's.

Rules and expectations while staying at Covenant House

All Covenant House shelters prohibit weapons, drugs, and alcohol on the premises. Violence or threats toward staff or other residents result in when ready discharge. Most shelters require residents to participate in at least one program or activity per week — this might be a case management meeting, a class, a support group, or a job search session.

Curfew times, daytime hours when you must leave the shelter, and other daily rules are posted and explained during intake. These rules exist to keep the shelter safe and orderly for everyone living there. If you break a rule, staff typically give a warning first. Repeated violations or serious infractions lead to discharge.

Covenant House staff are trained in trauma-informed care, which means they understand that young people experiencing homelessness have often survived abuse, neglect, or other hardship. If you need accommodations because of a disability, mental health condition, or past trauma, tell your case manager. Staff work to adjust the environment or schedule when possible.

What Covenant House does not provide

Covenant House shelters are emergency facilities, not treatment centers. If you need intensive mental health or substance use treatment, staff will refer you to specialized programs in your area, but the shelter itself does not provide that level of care. Similarly, if you have a serious medical condition, staff can connect you to a hospital or clinic, but the shelter is not equipped for ongoing medical management.

Covenant House does not provide permanent housing directly. The organization's role is to stabilize you in the short term and connect you to longer-term housing programs, which might include public housing, subsidized apartments, or nonprofit housing programs. Your case manager helps you navigate those systems, but the actual housing search and process is something you do with their support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to stay at Covenant House?

No. Covenant House shelters serve young people regardless of immigration status. You do not need to provide citizenship documentation or immigration papers. Staff do not report residents to immigration authorities based on shelter stays.

What if I'm 21 or older?

Covenant House serves young people under 21. If you are 21 or older, ask the shelter staff for referrals to adult homeless services in your area. Many cities have separate shelter systems for adults, and staff can point you toward those resources.

Can my family find me if I stay at Covenant House?

Covenant House keeps resident information confidential. Your family cannot call and learn about you are there. If you want to contact your family or reconnect with them, your case manager can help you do that safely and at your own pace. If you are fleeing abuse, staff understand that and will not share your location.

What if I have a mental health crisis while I'm staying there?

Tell a staff member when ready. Shelters have protocols for mental health emergencies and can connect you to crisis counseling, psychiatric evaluation, or hospitalization if needed. You do not have to handle a crisis alone.

Can I bring my belongings with me?

Yes. Shelters provide find storage for your belongings. You can keep personal items in your assigned space. Staff can also help you store larger items if space is limited, or refer you to storage programs in your area.