Housing & Shelter Resources in Baton Rouge

Access emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rental assistance programs for families throughout Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish.

This resource page is a directory for Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish residents looking for emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term housing support.

By sharing clear, trusted resources for shelter, rental assistance, and housing navigation, Nest Health supports families’ basic needs because stable housing is a key part of whole-family health.

Emergency Shelters & Housing Support in Baton Rouge

St. Vincent de Paul - Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter

📍 Address: 1623 Convention St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
📞 Phone: (225) 383-7343
🔗 Website:svdpbr.net/our-programs
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

💡 Services:

  • Emergency shelter for women and children

  • 128 beds available (24-hour shelter facility)

  • Hot meals provided

  • Case management

  • Housing assistance and referrals

  • Clothing and basic necessities

  • Support services for families

💰 Cost/Payment: Free
✅ Eligibility: Women and children experiencing homelessness; intake procedures apply
🌍 Language Support: English; Spanish assistance may be available upon request
ℹ️ Special Notes: Sweet Dreams Shelter is a 24-hour facility designed for families experiencing homelessness. Shelter rules apply for safety and community well-being.

The Salvation Army - Baton Rouge Center of Hope

📍 Address: 7361 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70805
📞 Phone: (225) 831-3466
🔗 Website:southernusa.salvationarmy.org/baton-rouge/
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Sat: Closed, Sun: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

💡 Services:

  • Emergency shelter

  • Transitional housing programs

  • Hot meals

  • Clothing assistance

  • Job training and placement assistance

  • Spiritual support

💰 Cost/Payment: Free for emergency services; program requirements may vary
✅ Eligibility: Individuals and families in need; some programs may have additional requirements
🌍 Language Support: English; Spanish assistance available upon request
ℹ️ Special Notes: The Baton Rouge Center of Hope provides shelter and longer-term support programs. Call directly for current availability.

Missionaries of Charity Shelter - Queen of Peace Shelter and Soup Kitchen

📞 Phone: (225) 383-8367
🕒 Hours: The soup kitchen serves men and women at 10 AM, five days per week (not on Thursday and Sunday)

💡 Services:

  • Emergency shelter services for women and children

  • Basic necessities

  • Spiritual support

  • Connections to additional resources

💰 Cost/Payment: Free
✅ Eligibility: Contact the shelter for eligibility requirements
🌍 Language Support: Primarily English
ℹ️ Special Notes: Part of the Catholic charitable network. Call 211 or a homeless service agency for referral information and availability.

Youth Oasis

📍 Address: 260 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
📞 Phone: (225) 343-6300
🔗 Website:youthoasis.org
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM

💡 Services:

  • Emergency shelter for young adults ages 18–24

  • Support services for youth in crisis

  • Counseling and case management

  • Education support

  • Family reunification services

  • Life skills training

  • Safe, supportive environment

💰 Cost/Payment: Free
✅ Eligibility: Youth experiencing homelessness, runaway situations, or abandonment in the Baton Rouge area 🌍 Language Support: English
ℹ️ Special Notes: Youth Oasis provides home, hope, and help to young people in crisis with age-appropriate support services.

Domestic Violence Shelters & Support

Safety Notice: If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
For confidential domestic violence support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (available 24/7) or text START to 88788.

Domestic Violence Shelter Resources

📞 Phone: Call 211 for confidential referrals
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)

💡 Services:

  • Confidential emergency shelter

  • Safety planning

  • Crisis intervention

  • Legal advocacy and protective order support

  • Court accompaniment

  • Counseling services

  • Case management

  • Children’s services

  • Connections to long-term housing

💰 Cost/Payment: Free
✅ Eligibility: Survivors of domestic violence and their children
🌍 Language Support: English and Spanish; interpretation available through hotlines
ℹ️ Special Notes: Domestic violence shelter locations are confidential for survivor safety. Call 211 or the Hotline for immediate, private referral.

Rental Assistance & Housing Support Programs

East Baton Rouge Housing Authority

📍 Address: 4731 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
📞 Phone: (225) 923-8100
🔗 Website:ebrpha.org
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, standard business hours

💡 Services:

  • Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)

  • Public housing units

  • Affordable housing information

  • Housing counseling referrals

💰 Cost/Payment: Rent is typically 30% of adjusted household income for qualified participants
✅ Eligibility: Income limits vary; must meet federal program requirements; background checks conducted
🌍 Language Support: English
ℹ️ Special Notes: The HCV waiting list is currently CLOSED. Call to confirm current status.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge - Housing Assistance

📍 Address: 1900 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
📞 Phone: (225) 336-8700
🔗 Website:ccdiobr.org
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

💡 Services:
Three Housing Programs:

  • Sanctuary for Life Housing: Transitional housing and support for homeless pregnant women (18+)

  • Joseph Homes: Transitional housing for homeless men recently released from prison

  • Families First Housing: 18-month transitional housing program for parents and children

Additional Support:

  • Utility assistance

  • Case management

  • Eviction prevention support

  • Referrals to other community resources

💰 Cost/Payment: Free for eligible individuals and families
✅ Eligibility: Income-based; must show financial need and housing instability. Some programs require employment for 90+ days.
🌍 Language Support: English; Spanish assistance available
ℹ️ Special Notes: Services are available regardless of faith background. Funding is limited and typically available once per year per household.

How Nest Health Helps Baton Rouge Families

In-Home and Virtual Care

  • Medical care comes to you — no transportation barriers

  • Care for the entire family in one convenient visit

  • 24/7 access to healthcare providers

Resource Connections

  • Family advocates connect you with programs in your area

  • Referrals to food banks, utility assistance, and community resources

  • Help navigating social service systems

Whole-Family Approach

  • We understand health includes meeting basic needs

  • Care plans reflect your family’s full situation, not just symptoms

If you’ve heard about Nest directly from your health plan by phone or mail, or if you see Nest on your health plan’s portal, you can call 866-222-NEST (6378) to confirm eligibility and schedule your family’s first at-home appointment. If you qualify for Nest services through Medicaid or another health plan, there is no additional cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find emergency shelter in Baton Rouge tonight?

Call 211 right away for real-time information about available shelter beds. The Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless at (225) 388-5800 can also provide referrals. Some shelters require intake appointments, while others accept walk-ins during limited hours.

What should I do if I'm about to be evicted?

Contact rental assistance programs as soon as possible. Many programs can help prevent eviction with one-time financial assistance. Call 211 to connect with rental help, legal aid, and eviction prevention resources.

Are there shelters that accept families with children?

Yes. St. Vincent de Paul’s Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter specifically serves women and children and offers 128 beds. Other organizations may also serve families. Call 211 or the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless for family shelter referrals.

Do I need an ID or proof of residency to access shelter?

It depends on the program. Many emergency shelters offer services even without ID, but transitional housing and rental assistance may require documentation. Call ahead and ask what to bring.

How long can I stay at an emergency shelter?

Stay lengths vary. Some shelters provide short-term emergency stays (days to weeks), while transitional housing programs may last months or longer. Ask about stay limits when you call.

I'm experiencing domestic violence and need safe housing. What should I do?

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or text START to 88788. You can also call 211 for confidential Baton Rouge shelter referrals.