If you or someone you know needs a place to sleep tonight in Akron, start with one step: call 2-1-1. In Summit County, the 2-1-1 helpline run with United Way connects people to open shelter beds and the county’s homeless services system. It’s free, confidential and answers around the clock.
If you’re in danger from a partner or family member, call the Hope & Healing 24-hour hotline at 330-374-1111 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
Homeless shelters in Akron at a glance
| Shelter | Who it serves | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Haven of Rest Ministries | Men (Rescue Mission), women and children (Harvest Home) | Christian ministry founded in 1942, downtown at 175 E. Market St. Open 24/7, 365 days a year |
| ACCESS Shelter | Women and children experiencing homelessness | Emergency shelter in the West Hill neighborhood, with meals and case management. Waitlists are common |
| Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center | Survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and trafficking | Formerly the Battered Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Center. Shelter can house women, children, men, seniors and pets |
| Family Promise of Summit County | Families with children, with a focus on single mothers | Prevention services, case management, transportation and child care support |
Shelters fill up, and capacity shifts with funding. Call ahead or go through 2-1-1 so you don’t travel across town to a full building.
Men’s shelter in Akron
Haven of Rest has run its Rescue Mission for men in downtown Akron since the 1940s, near the University of Akron campus. Men can get emergency shelter and meals. The ministry has a long history of working with men dealing with addiction, so ask about longer-term programs if you need more than a bed for the night.
Women’s shelters in Akron, Ohio
Women without housing have two main options, depending on their situation:
- ACCESS Shelter focuses on women and children experiencing homelessness. The shelter has a limited number of rooms and a waitlist, so contact it or 2-1-1 early. A recent $1.25 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund is helping ACCESS add bedrooms.
- Harvest Home at Haven of Rest shelters women and children in crisis.
If you’re leaving an abusive relationship, go straight to Hope & Healing instead. Their shelter keeps its location confidential and has staff trained in safety planning.
Battered women’s shelter in Akron
For years, anyone searching “battered women’s shelter Akron” found the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties. The organization now operates as Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center. As of January 1, 2026, the former Rape Crisis Center also merged into it.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| 24-hour hotline | 330-374-1111 |
| Emergency shelter | Summit County shelter with up to 100 beds that can house women, children, men, seniors and pets. A separate Medina County shelter serves up to 30 women and children |
| Support | Safety planning, case management, legal advocacy, hospital advocacy, food and clothing |
| Service area | Summit and Medina counties |
You don’t need to have a plan, money or documents to call. Hotline advocates can talk through options and help arrange a safe place to go.
Family shelters in Summit County
Families with children face the longest waits. Call 2-1-1 first, then contact Family Promise of Summit County and ACCESS directly. Schools can also help: under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, every school district has a homeless liaison who can keep your kids enrolled and arrange transportation even if you move between shelters.
What to bring to a shelter
- Photo ID, if you have one (shelters can still help if you don’t)
- Social Security cards and birth certificates for you and your children
- Medications in their original bottles
- A phone and charger
- A few changes of clothes
- Important papers: leases, eviction notices, court orders, benefit letters
Most shelters don’t allow weapons, alcohol or illegal drugs, and many have curfews and check-in times.
When the shelters are full
During severe cold, Summit County agencies often open overflow beds and warming centers. Call 2-1-1 to find out which locations are open that night.
During the day, you can get a hot meal and groceries through local pantries and meal sites. The list of each food pantry in Akron, Ohio includes hours and what to bring. The Salvation Army Akron also provides emergency assistance, meals and seasonal help.
Moving from shelter to housing
Case managers at most Akron shelters help people apply for rapid rehousing, housing vouchers, benefits and jobs. Ask about these programs on your first day so your name gets on lists early.
The Akron Dream Center collects guides like this one to point Akron neighbors toward food and housing help close to home.
FAQ
How do I get into a homeless shelter in Akron tonight?
Call 2-1-1. The helpline checks which shelters have beds and connects you to Summit County’s homeless services system.
Is there a women’s shelter in Akron, Ohio?
Yes. ACCESS Shelter and Harvest Home at Haven of Rest serve women and children. Hope & Healing shelters survivors of domestic violence.
Do Akron shelters accept pets?
Most general shelters don’t. Hope & Healing’s domestic violence shelter in Summit County can house pets, so survivors don’t have to leave an animal behind with an abuser.
Is there a cost to stay in a shelter?
Emergency shelters in Akron don’t charge for a bed. Some longer-term programs ask residents to save part of their income toward housing.
What if I’m a young adult or a teen?
Tell 2-1-1 your age and ask about youth services. Programs for minors and young adults often run separately from adult shelters.