We are homeless in Louisville and need help

(Request from Tamarra in Louisville, Kentucky) We have no cash and lost apartment we are homeless need help.

Dear Tamarra,

I am sorry to hear that you have already experienced the frustration of having to leave a safe dwelling with no where else to call home. I want to look at your situation two-fold.

First I want to make sure that we can get you to a safe place so that you are not on the streets. Emergency homeless shelters could fulfill this need, but there are alternatives also.

Second, I want to help you identify intermediate options that can help you move onto a permanently affordable rental home. Transitional housing programs can help you graduate from homeless shelters and into a safe housing situation that allows you to save money for a permanent move.

Emergency Housing in Louisville

There are several options for emergency shelter in Louisville. Each has rules regarding the demographics of visitors (gender, children present, etc.) so that the safety and privacy of temporary residents can be maintained. Their doors are open to the homeless in Louisville.

  • Coalition for the Homeless is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency housing in Louisville. A collaboration between shelters and agencies works to give you a safe place to stay while you work out your money issues. You can benefit from case management and educational programs to help you repair your credit, save money and find a job. Call 502-637-2337 to reserve a bed for this evening.
  • Ozanam Inn operates a homeless shelter for men with 42 beds. Call 502-584-2480 for more information about the homeless shelter, as well as the Dorm Residency program reserved for those in the work force.
  • Volunteers of America provide a family shelter for those who need emergency housing. Call 502-636-0816.
  • Wayside Christian Mission maintains emergency shelters for men, women and families. Call 502-584-3711 to locate the facility closest to you that is geared towards your needs.
  • The YMCA operates the Shelter House for runaway teens in the Louisville area. Call 502-635-5233 to speak with a caring case manager who can help arrange safe shelter.

Transitional Housing in Louisville

Once you have a safe place to stay temporarily, it is time to stabilize your housing situation. Transitional housing can help you prepare for living on your own while still getting some support on a temporary basis. Transitional housing programs in Louisville generally give you at least 6 months in which to get your finances in order, with many offering at least a 12 month stay.

  • New Directions provides families with transitional housing opportunities. Call 502-584-8046.
  • Norma’s House is a transitional housing program that helps women recover from homelessness. Call 502-585-3780.
  • Ozanam Inn offers private rooms for employed men (or disabled) who are working to become independent. Call 502-584-2480.
  • Roberts Hall is available to single women who need help gaining independence. Call 502-636-3549.
  • St. Vincent de Paul is a religious organization that provides transitional housing to single parents or homeless and disabled women. Call 502-584-2480 to arrange an appointment with a case manager.
  • Volunteers of America provides a transitional housing program in Louisville. Call 502-636-0816 for a referral.
  • Wayside Christian Mission operates transitional shelters and halfway houses for single women who are homeless in Louisville. They also provide permanent supportive apartment housing for men who are disabled or for women. Call 502-584-3711 to meet with a case manager. Transitional housing clients are generally those who graduate from the emergency housing shelters.

These programs should give you a starting point to get into safe emergency housing right away. Additionally, you will be surrounded with the support systems necessary to make sure that you can recover from your current housing crisis. Additionally, we have other resources that we found on behalf of another client who lost her job in Louisville.