A Sacred Network of Mutual Aid
North Carolina
Resources & Refuge
"You are not alone. Whatever has brought you here, there is help across the Tar Heel State — from Charlotte to the Triangle to the Blue Ridge. Shelter, food, healing, and hands ready to hold yours. Begin wherever you need to."
Immediate Help in North Carolina
Find Help Now
Real, currently operating resources across North Carolina. Choose a path below — each holds verified shelters, programs, and organizations ready to help today.
The Sanctuary
Emergency shelter and a safe place to rest across North Carolina.
Roof Above
City: Charlotte
Services: Charlotte's largest homeless-services organization — emergency shelter, a day center, street outreach, and supportive housing
Notes: Formed by the merger of the Urban Ministry Center and the Men's Shelter of Charlotte. For shelter, NC 211 can also direct you.
Website: roofabove.org
Raleigh Rescue Mission
City: Raleigh
Services: Emergency shelter and recovery programs for homeless men, women, and children, with meals and case management
Notes: In Wake County, Oak City Cares (984-344-9599) is the coordinated day hub linking people to shelter.
Website: raleighrescue.org
Durham Rescue Mission
City: Durham
Services: Durham's oldest and largest long-term shelter — food, clothing, vocational training, and counseling for men, women, and children, 24/7
Notes: Serves the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. A photo ID is requested at check-in when possible.
Address: 1201 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Website: durhamrescuemission.org
Entry Point Durham
City: Durham
Services: The central coordinated-entry access point for shelter and housing services in Durham
Notes: Start here for a coordinated-entry assessment. Located at the Human Services Building.
Phone: 984-287-8313
Address: 414 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Western Carolina Rescue Mission
City: Asheville
Services: Emergency shelter, meals, clothing, and recovery support serving Asheville and the mountain region
Notes: Homeward Bound WNC also coordinates housing across Western North Carolina.
Website: westerncarolinarescue.org
NC 211 & Coordinated Entry
City: Statewide
Services: The front door to shelter and homeless services across North Carolina, 24/7, in many languages
Notes: Dial 211 or 1-888-892-1162. Each region has a coordinated-entry access point — 211 will connect you.
Phone: Dial 211
Website: nc211.org
No safe place tonight? Dial 211 any time. In Charlotte ask about Roof Above; in Raleigh, Oak City Cares (984-344-9599); in Durham, Entry Point (984-287-8313).
Bread of Life
Food banks, pantries, and meals across North Carolina.
Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC
City: Raleigh & 34 counties
Services: Supplies pantries and meal sites across central and eastern NC, plus free, confidential SNAP application help
Notes: Benefits Outreach Team: (800) 358-8189. Use "Find Help" on the website to search by county.
Phone: 800-358-8189
Website: foodbankcenc.org
MANNA FoodBank
City: Asheville / Western NC
Services: Serves 16 western counties with pantries, mobile markets, and a food helpline — plus SNAP application help
Notes: A key resource as Western NC continues to recover from recent flooding.
Website: mannafoodbank.org
Second Harvest Food Banks
City: Charlotte & the Triad
Services: Second Harvest Metrolina (Charlotte) and Second Harvest of Northwest NC (Winston-Salem) supply pantries across their regions
Notes: Both offer SNAP application assistance. Dial 211 to find the nearest pantry.
Phone: Dial 211
SNAP / FNS — Food Stamps
City: Statewide
Services: Monthly benefits to buy groceries — the most reliable, ongoing food help available
Notes: Apply at ePASS (epass.nc.gov). EBT Call Center: 1-866-719-0141. See The Providence.
Website: epass.nc.gov
SNAP benefits start from the day you apply — even if your application isn't complete. You can use a shelter as your address, and experiencing homelessness exempts you from work requirements.
The Healing Hand
Free and low-cost clinics, behavioral health, and care for people without stable housing.
Community Health Centers (FQHCs)
City: Statewide
Services: Sliding-scale medical, dental, and behavioral health care regardless of insurance or ability to pay
Notes: Includes Lincoln Community Health Center (Durham), CW Williams (Charlotte), and Blue Ridge Health (WNC). Dial 211 to find one.
Phone: Dial 211
NC Medicaid — Now Expanded
City: Statewide
Services: Free health coverage for adults — North Carolina expanded Medicaid in late 2023, opening eligibility to hundreds of thousands more low-income adults
Notes: If you were turned down before, you may qualify now. Apply through ePASS.
Website: epass.nc.gov
Free & Charitable Clinics
City: Statewide
Services: A statewide network of free clinics providing medical, dental, and pharmacy care for the uninsured
Notes: Many communities have a free clinic. Dial 211 to find the nearest.
Phone: Dial 211
Behavioral Health & 988
City: Statewide
Services: Mental-health and substance-use support, including free 24/7 crisis help
Notes: Call or text 988 anytime. Local Managed Care Organizations also coordinate behavioral health care.
Phone: 988
For a mental-health or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 anytime — free, confidential, 24/7.
The Haven
Weather shelter, day services, and outreach for those sleeping outside.
White Flag & Cold-Weather Shelters
City: Statewide (winter)
Services: Emergency overflow shelters that open ("white flag" nights) when temperatures drop to dangerous levels
Notes: Shelters lift normal capacity limits on the coldest nights. Dial 211 for what's open near you.
Phone: Dial 211 (24/7)
Day Resource Centers
City: Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham & more
Services: Daytime centers offering meals, restrooms, case management, and a safe place to be — like Oak City Cares and Roof Above's day center
Notes: A welcoming entry point to services without entering shelter first. Dial 211 for the nearest.
Phone: Dial 211
Storm Recovery & Outreach
City: Western NC & statewide
Services: Disaster-recovery help and street outreach connecting people to shelter, food, and FEMA or DSS assistance
Notes: After major storms, extra food, rental, and repair help may be available. After Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024), camping rules vary by city — check via 211.
Phone: Dial 211
If you have nowhere safe to go, call 211 — they'll direct you to the nearest open shelter, white-flag site, or day resource center.
Living Waters
Showers, laundry, restrooms, and day-service access across North Carolina.
Oak City Cares
City: Raleigh
Services: A coordinated day center offering showers, laundry, meals, mail, and connection to housing and benefits
Notes: One central place to access many services at once in Wake County.
Phone: 984-344-9599
Address: 1430 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Roof Above Day Center
City: Charlotte
Services: Showers, laundry, restrooms, meals, mail, and case management in a welcoming daytime space
Notes: A low-barrier hub linking people to housing in Mecklenburg County.
Website: roofabove.org
Day Services at the Missions
City: Durham, Asheville & beyond
Services: Showers, hygiene supplies, and basic-need access alongside meals at the rescue missions statewide
Notes: Hours vary by site. Dial 211 for the nearest open day services.
Phone: Dial 211
Hygiene and day-service access shifts by site and season. 211 keeps the most current list of open day centers and showers near you.
The Guardian
Free civil legal aid — your rights around housing, eviction, benefits, and safety.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
City: Statewide
Services: Free civil legal help — eviction defense, housing, public benefits, domestic violence, and consumer matters
Notes: Call the statewide Helpline to apply, or use the online intake. Offices in cities across NC.
Phone: 1-866-219-5262
Website: legalaidnc.org
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
City: Charlotte / west-central NC
Services: Free civil legal aid — housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection for the Charlotte metro
Notes: Individual advice and representation for eligible low-income residents.
Website: charlottelegaladvocacy.org
Eviction Defense
City: Statewide
Services: Help responding to a summary-ejectment (eviction) lawsuit and asserting your rights in court
Notes: North Carolina's eviction timeline moves quickly — contact Legal Aid (1-866-219-5262) the day you're served.
Phone: 1-866-219-5262
Domestic Violence Legal Help
City: Statewide
Services: Help obtaining 50B protective orders and emergency safety planning, through local crisis centers and Legal Aid
Notes: Local centers include Safe Alliance (Charlotte) and Compass Center (Orange County). National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.
Phone: 1-800-799-7233
Facing eviction? Don't wait — North Carolina's process is fast. Contact Legal Aid of NC as soon as you receive court papers, and never ignore a court date.
The Providence
Government benefits — food, health coverage, cash assistance, and emergency help.
NC ePASS (NCDHHS)
City: Statewide
Services: Apply online for Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP), Medicaid, and other benefits — and check your case status
Notes: No permanent address required — you can use a shelter. Benefits start from the day you apply, even if the application isn't complete.
Website: epass.nc.gov
County Departments of Social Services
City: Every NC county
Services: Apply for FNS, Medicaid, Work First (TANF) cash assistance, and one-time emergency or crisis help in person
Notes: Your county DSS can also help with energy/crisis assistance. Find yours through NC 211.
Phone: Dial 211
Social Security Administration
City: Statewide
Services: SSI and SSDI disability benefits, retirement, and survivor benefits
Notes: You can apply without a permanent address. Ask about expedited SSI if you're homeless.
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: ssa.gov
North Carolina 211
City: Statewide
Services: Free, confidential help finding any benefit, program, or service in North Carolina
Notes: Dial 211 or 1-888-892-1162, 24/7. Also connects to energy assistance and rent help.
Phone: Dial 211
If your benefits are denied or wrongly cut, Legal Aid of NC (1-866-219-5262) can help you appeal for free. The Food Bank's team (800-358-8189) can also help you apply.
The Shepherd
Faith-based and community organizations offering food, shelter, and warm support.
Durham Rescue Mission
City: Durham
Services: Christ-centered shelter, meals, clothing, recovery, and vocational training for men, women, and children
Notes: See The Sanctuary for details. All in need are welcome.
Address: 1201 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Website: durhamrescuemission.org
Charlotte Rescue Mission
City: Charlotte
Services: Free residential recovery and shelter for men and women at the intersection of homelessness and addiction
Notes: Offers food, shelter, and recovery at no cost to those served.
Website: charlotterescuemission.org
Greensboro Urban Ministry
City: Greensboro
Services: Emergency shelter, a food pantry, meals, and financial assistance for the Triad
Notes: A faith-based ministry serving Guilford County. Find them through 211.
Phone: Dial 211
The Salvation Army & Catholic Charities
City: Statewide
Services: Shelter, meals, food pantries, rent and utility assistance, and emergency help across North Carolina
Notes: Local offices in cities statewide. Help offered to people of all faiths. Find the nearest through 211.
Phone: Dial 211
Many North Carolina congregations quietly help neighbors beyond what's listed here. If you have a home community, ask — and 211 can connect you to faith-based aid near you.
Know Where You Stand
North Carolina Rights & Laws
A plain-language look at the laws and benefits that affect people experiencing homelessness in North Carolina.
Medicaid Is Now Open to More Adults
In late 2023, North Carolina expanded Medicaid — opening free health coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income adults who never qualified before.
If you're a working adult, childless, or were turned down in the past, it's worth applying again. There's no cost to apply.
Apply any time through ePASS, your county DSS, or with help from a community navigator.
Food Benefits Start the Day You Apply
In North Carolina, your SNAP/FNS benefits are calculated from the day you submit your application — even if it isn't complete yet. So don't wait.
- No permanent address needed — use a shelter
- If you're homeless, you count as a household of one
- Experiencing homelessness exempts you from work requirements
- Apply at epass.nc.gov or get free help at 800-358-8189
Coordinated Entry: One Front Door
Each region has a coordinated-entry access point — one place to get assessed and prioritized for shelter and housing.
- Durham: Entry Point Durham, 984-287-8313
- Raleigh/Wake: Oak City Cares, 984-344-9599
- Charlotte: Roof Above
- Anywhere: dial 211 to find your access point
Eviction & Survivor Protections
A landlord must go through the court ("summary ejectment") to evict you — lockouts and utility shut-offs are illegal. But NC's timeline is fast, so act quickly.
- Free eviction help from Legal Aid of NC: 1-866-219-5262
- 50B protective orders are available at any courthouse
- Local DV crisis centers offer shelter and safety planning
- National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Across the Tar Heel State
Help by Region
Resources reach across North Carolina. Here's where to start in some of the larger communities.
Charlotte & Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg County
Roof Above, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Safe Alliance, and the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.
Start: Roof Above, Crisis Assistance Ministry 704-371-3001, or dial 211.
Raleigh & Wake
Wake County
Raleigh Rescue Mission, Oak City Cares, the Women's Center of Wake County, and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.
Start: Oak City Cares 984-344-9599 or dial 211.
Durham & the Triangle
Durham & Orange
Durham Rescue Mission, Entry Point Durham, Families Moving Forward, and Urban Ministries of Durham.
Start: Entry Point Durham 984-287-8313 or dial 211.
Greensboro & the Triad
Guilford & Forsyth
Greensboro Urban Ministry, the Interactive Resource Center, and Second Harvest of Northwest NC serve the Triad.
Start: Greensboro Housing Coalition 336-691-9521 or dial 211.
Asheville & the Mountains
Buncombe & Western NC
Western Carolina Rescue Mission, Homeward Bound WNC, and MANNA FoodBank serve the Blue Ridge — including ongoing storm recovery.
Start: Dial 211 for Western NC resources.
The Coast & Sandhills
Wilmington & Fayetteville
The Good Shepherd Center (Wilmington) and Fayetteville-area missions, plus the Cape Fear Housing Crisis Hotline.
Start: Cape Fear Housing Crisis Hotline 910-444-4998 or dial 211.
Pathways Forward
North Carolina Programs
Larger initiatives that move people from crisis toward stable housing.
Coordinated Entry
Through: Each region's Continuum of Care
Helps with: A single assessment that prioritizes you for available shelter and housing in your community.
Start: Entry Point Durham (984-287-8313), Oak City Cares (984-344-9599), Roof Above (Charlotte), or dial 211.
Permanent Supportive Housing & Rapid Re-Housing
Through: NCDHHS & local Continuums of Care
Helps with: Rental subsidies and support services for chronically homeless people and families, plus short-term rapid re-housing.
Start: Ask a shelter case manager or dial 211.
Emergency & Crisis Assistance
Through: County DSS & community partners
Helps with: One-time help with rent, deposits, utilities, and other basic needs during a verified crisis, plus energy assistance.
Start: Contact your county DSS, or dial 211 for the nearest program.
Find Help Near You
Resource Map
An interactive map of North Carolina resources is on its way as the Network grows.
Interactive Map — Coming Soon
Soon this map will plot shelters, food, clinics, hygiene sites, and warming centers near your location across North Carolina.
Until then, dial 211 anytime for live, location-based help — or choose a city to be pointed in the right direction.
The Network Grows
Angel Outreach in North Carolina
Beyond these public resources, the Angel Network is preparing its own offerings for people in need across North Carolina.
Angel Offerings — Gathering
As angels gather and The Chalice fills, Hope & Grace will extend direct blessings, partner outreach, and community support to souls right here in North Carolina.
These offerings will appear here as the Network grows. If you are in need today, please request a blessing — and lean on the verified resources above in the meantime.
You Are Not Alone
However You Arrived Here
Whether you need shelter tonight or hope to one day become an angel for someone else — there is a place for you in this Network.