+ Are there any requirements to receive services at The Bridge?

An individual must be homeless and 18 and older to be eligible for services at The Bridge.

Government IDs, background checks, and sobriety checks are not required to receive services at The Bridge.

If you have children under the age of 18 in your care and are seeking shelter with them, please contact Family Gateway for help.

+ How do I get help at The Bridge?

Please visit our Day Shelter FAQ page for information on our how to receive help at The Bridge, rules, hours of operation, and the services that are available to help you recover from homelessness.

+ What is the Night Shelter intake process?

To receive night shelter at The Bridge you must go through our inital intake process with an intake specialist when you first arrive at The Bridge. This initial screening allows The Bridge to provide you with information, referrals for night shelter and other recovery services, connect you with a Care Manager, and provide you with a Bridge ID that will allow you access to our campus.

Once you are assigned a bed at The Bridge you must arrive on The Bridge's campus by 6:00 pm (talk to your Care Manager if you need to make alternate accomodations due to your work scheudle).

Since The Bridge's campus is open 24 hours a day, there is no need to line up to be admitted for night shelter. Simply be on campus by 6:00 pm.

+ Will I be guaranteed a bed?

Space is limited for night shelter Guests at The Bridge. If you are not assigned a bed during the intake process, please talk to your Care Manager about the possibility of getting a bed at The Bridge in the future.

If we are unable to assign you a bed, the intake staff and/or care manager assigned to you will be able to connect you with a night shelter partner and help you find a place to stay at night. The Bridge partners with the following night shelters:

• Austin Street Center
• Dallas LIFE
• The Salvation Army
• Union Gospel Mission

  + Transitional Shelter

Our on-campus transitional night shelter is offered to men and women who are actively working on their housing plan, consistantly show up for night shelter. Dormatory style set ups provide additional independence, laundry, and restroom/shower facilities.

Care Managers manage the distribution of transitional shelter beds.

+ I do not have any identification. Can I receive services?

Identification is not a requirement to go through the intake process and receive services at The Bridge. A Bridge ID will be issued upon completion of intake that will allow you entrence onto our campus.

+ I do not have money. Will I need to pay for a bed?

All services are free of charge to guests. Money will never be required or exchanged for any reason.

+ How long can I stay at The Bridge?

There is no time limit on how long you can receive night shelter services at The Bridge. As long as you show up for night shelter each night and attend Care Management appointments you will be able to keep your bed at The Bridge.

+ Can I bring personal items with me?

Guests are allowed to bring personal items with them, such as clothing, blankets and toiletries. Space is limited and all necessary items for bathing, hygiene, food and water will be provided once inside.

We also provide lockers for Guests who are staying at The Bridge's night shelter to store personal items.

Guests are not allowed to bring outside food or drinks for health and hygiene purposes. Reusable water bottles are welcomed, as there are several water fountains on campus for Guests.

+ I am homeless and I have a dog. Will I be able to bring it with me?

We have an onsite kennel for Guests with dogs, please let the intake staff know that you have a dog when you arrive on campus.

Guests are responsible for caring for their dogs while staying at The Bridge. All food and supplies will be provided by The Bridge at no cost to our Guests. We also have a partnership with Operation Kindness and local veterinarians to ensure the dogs receive proper care and medical treatment.

+ Will I receive dinner?

All Guests staying at The Bridge's night shelter will receive three meals a day including dinner.

Dinner is from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

+ Supplementary Evening Activities

Volunteers and staff work together to provide extra services to our Guests. Guests staying at The Bridge's night shelter have access to on campus library has computer access and books as well as daily AA Meetings. Monthly opportunities such as BINGO night and karaoke are also available thanks to our volunteers. Interested in volunteering? [Find out how you can volunteer at The Bridge.]