Homelessness Resources
Two Baltimore County agencies, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Department of Social Services (DSS), have the primary responsibility for providing services to people experiencing homelessness, or those who are at risk of becoming homeless.
preventing or ending homelessness
If you are seeking emergency services in Baltimore County, call the Coordinated Entry hotline at 410-887-8463.
Coordinated Entry is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you do not speak with an operator, leave a voicemail stating your full name and telephone number for a return call within 24 hours.
Emergency SHELTERS
The County offers a range of shelter and housing programs to persons in Baltimore County who are homeless. These include emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, shelter diversion, cold and freezing weather shelters, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. Anyone that accepts emergency shelter, must be able to independently complete all activities of daily living (eating, toileting, showing etc.). Healthcare agencies such as hospitals or nursing homes seeking to discharge a patient to shelter must complete the In-Patient Facility Discharge Referral Form.
People seeking access to these services must be referred through the County’s Coordinated Entry system. Those seeking services for themselves or working to aid others in accessing services should call 410-887-8463.
Baltimore County has five year-round emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness. The DHCD and Social Services maintain an active oversight role of the shelters while allocating annual funding to non-profit organizations who manage the day-to-day operations of the shelters.
EASTSIDE FAMILY SHELTER
Operated by St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP), the Eastside Family Shelter provides emergency beds in large shared dorms and operates out of the County-owned Eastern Family Resource Center (EFRC). Residents receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as laundry and shower facilities, and basic needs items. Day programs are provided and include, but are not limited to workshops, case management, housing search assistance, job skills and job search assistance and child development and recreational activities. In addition, support services are provided by other agencies, including but not limited to SVDP, Baltimore County Public Schools, the Health Department, Health Care for the Homeless, Workforce Development.
EASTSIDE MEN'S SHELTER
Operated by the SVDP, out of the County-owned Eastern Family Resource Center (EFRC). Residents live in large shared dorms and receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as laundry and shower facilities, and basic needs items. Supportive services are provided by multiple agencies, including, but not limited to SVDP, the Health Department, and Workforce Development. Mental health services referrals are available.
NIGHT OF PEACE FAMILY SHELTER
Night of Peace is an overnight family shelter which does not operate during the day. It is located in the basement of a church in western Baltimore County. Each family shares a cubicle. Residents receive dinner and breakfast, laundry and shower facilities, and supportive services including case management, housing search assistance, children’s tutoring, recreational activities. Mental health service referrals are available.
Hannah more shelter
Operated by St. Vincent de Paul, the Hannah More Shelter provides emergency shelter beds for families, operating in a County-owned facility in Reisterstown. Families may share a room with another family. Residents receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as laundry and shower facilities, case management, parenting classes, housing and budget counseling, life skills classes, and other services. In addition, support services are provided by agencies including, but not limited to Baltimore County Public Schools, the Health Department, Health Care for the Homeless, Workforce Development. Mental health service referrals are available.
WESTSIDE MEN'S SHELTER
Operated by the Community Assistance Network (CAN), the Westside Men's Shelter provides emergency beds in large shared rooms. It operates on the grounds of Spring Grove State Hospital in a County-owned building. Residents receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as laundry and shower facilities, and basic needs items. Supportive services are provided by multiple agencies, including CAN, the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, and Workforce Development. Mental health service referrals are available.
FAMILY CRISIS CENTER
Family Crisis Center provides shelter for those currently experiencing or are fleeing intimate partner violence or domestic violence. In addition to shelter, meals and other essential services, residents receive therapy, court accompaniment, tutoring, nursing services and various other services to help resident’s gain permanent housing and independence. The shelter provides up to a 90-day stay with possible extensions where appropriate. Mental health service referrals are available.
TURNAROUND, INC.
TurnAround, Inc. can provide short-term hotel/motel stays to those currently experiencing or are fleeing intimate partner violence or domestic violence, trafficking or stalking. The hotel/motel stay is time limited to ensure safety until a shelter bed or alternative becomes available. Services provided include trauma therapy, employment and housing search assistance, budgeting, child care, and other services as needed. Mental health services referrals are available.
The County’s Freezing Weather Shelter Plan is operational from November 1 through April 15 of each year. The sites vary from year to year and are activated during evenings when the temperature is expected to reach 32 degrees or below including the wind chill factor. Please call coordinated entry to find out when these shelters are opened.
SITE-BASED PROGRAMS
- Arbutus Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Owned and operated by CAN, the Arbutus PSH program provides housing for 13 single women, each with an individual unit equipped with an efficiency kitchen, bathroom and living space. Residents share a common activity space and laundry room. Case management and service referrals are available. - Hosanna House
Owned and operated by Catholic Charities, Hosanna House provides housing for 15 single women, each with an individual sleeping and living space. Residents share a common bathroom, laundry, kitchen, dining and living spaces. Case management and service referrals are available. - Prospect Place
Owned and operated by United Ministries, Prospect Place provides permanent supportive housing to 12 single men, each with an individual efficiency apartment. Referrals are made through the Baltimore County Office of Housing.
SCATTERED SITE PROGRAMS
There are a limited number of supportive housing units available throughout the County. A history of homelessness and a disability are required to qualify. Please call Coordinated Entry to be placed on a waitlist for referral.
Time limited rental assistance referred to as “Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)" is available. Programs assist in identifying and securing housing, and provides case management and time limited rental assistance to households that qualify. Please call Coordinated Entry to be placed on a waitlist for referral.
If you are waiting for a return call from Coordinated Entry, you can also reach out to these organizations for assistance.
- Alliance, Inc.
- Baltimore County Department of Health
- Baltimore County Department of Social Services
- Catholic Charities
- Catonsville Emergency Food Ministries
- Community Assistance Network (CAN)
- Community Crisis Services, Inc.
- Family Crisis Center, Inc.
- Health Care for the Homeless—Baltimore County
- Jewish Community Services
- Maryland Food Bank
- Prologue
- Saint Vincent de Paul
- Springboard Community Services: Youth Resource Center
- The Image Center
- Turn Around, Inc.
- United Way of Central Maryland
- Youth Empowered Society (YES)
PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS
The Baltimore County Continuum of Care (CoC) will develop an annual plan to address homelessness. Developed by the CoC Governance Board in collaboration with the DHCD, the plan will develop and implement strategies and resources to effectively address and reduce homelessness.
- We will end homelessness in Baltimore County. We are committed to ending homelessness for all in Baltimore County. We seek to take on the challenge outlined in Opening Doors, the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and seek to end family homelessness in 10 years, chronic homelessness in five years and veteran homelessness in five years; and create a path to end all homelessness in our community.
- We are committed to the Housing First approach. We believe all persons need and deserve safe, affordable housing. People experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness should have accessible, affordable housing, and the supportive services necessary to maintain that housing. People experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness should receive coordinated services from various agencies to help them secure and maintain housing, meet their individual and family needs and maximize their independence and integration within the community.
- We will foster and encourage innovation. We will embrace new and creative approaches to end the cycle of homelessness, drawing from best practices around the country and our own experiences.
- We will come together as a community to implement the plan. The plan will prosper due to the commitment of dedicated Baltimore County community members. To be successful, the plan requires the commitment of County officials, service providers, faith and business leaders, consumers and community members. The plan is a community effort and we will only reach its common goal through joint partnerships and collaboration.
- We will be responsive to our community. The plan will be modified over time to meet the changing needs of the community and the needs of the populations served.
- We will use data and outcomes to drive our decisions and implementation. Strategic approaches to address homelessness will be driven by current data and will include measurable outcomes to track our progress.
- We will create bench marks. We will create and measure benchmarks for implementation of the plan.
- We will update our progress annually. During the planning process, we will publish updates of the plan annually.
BALTIMORE COUNTY HOME-AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
The Department of Housing and Community Development is currently planning use of $7.4 million in HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds. This funding will be directed to assist individuals or households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and non-congregate shelter to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability.
QUALIFYING POPULATIONS
HOME-ARP funding must be used to serve one or more of the following qualified populations:
- Homeless (McKinney Act Definition at 24 CFR 91.5)
- At risk of homelessness (McKinney Act Definition at 24 CFR 91.5)
- Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking
- Other populations where assistance would:
- Prevent the family's homelessness; or
- Serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability
- Veterans and families, including a veteran member, that meet one of the preceding criteria
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit the qualifying populations through the four eligible activities:
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
- Production or Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing
- Provision of Supportive Services
- Acquisition and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter Units
Learn more about the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's ARP. The proposed uses for the HOME-ARP funding are included in the Draft Allocation Plan.