According to information gathered by local service providers, over 4,000 individuals experience homelessness each year in Chattanooga, with over 1,000 children who are enrolled in public schools experiencing homelessness.

Chattanooga has the power to make a difference in our communities, and many want to help, but might not know how to get started, like reader Keeli. C:

“Can you do a segment on all of the Chattanooga based organizations that serve our homeless population…and their specific goal/missions. There are many people that want to help and not sure which organization does the best and consistent works.”

Here are some local organizations dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga, TN.

Chattanooga Interagency Council on Homelessness (CICH) + Signal Centers

A group of organizations and individuals appointed by Mayor Tim Kelly to accelerate Chattanooga + Hamilton County’s response to ending homelessness.
Mission: Plan, coordinate, and monitor strategies to reduce homelessness by utilizing the strategies in Chattanooga’s Homelessness Action Plan.

Chattanooga Community Kitchen + Maclellan Shelter for Families

Staff and volunteers work to serve meals three times daily and offer showers + bathrooms, clothing, case management, and more.
Mission: Meet the most basic needs of the hungry, homeless, and vulnerable people in the community while offering a path to self-sufficiency.
Volunteer: General volunteer form, food service, clothing program, welcome desk, day center, men's + women’s shelter.
Donate.

The Chattanooga Rescue Mission

Faith-based organization that has the only totally free Temporary Emergency Overnight Shelter open year-round in Chattanooga for men, women, and children.
Mission: Serving the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those experiencing homelessness in our community.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Chattanooga Room in the Inn

This organization offers a residential program for homeless women and children + the HomeAgain program that offers case management services to graduates of the CRITI program.
Mission: To empower women + children experiencing homelessness to become self-sufficient by offering a temporary home while providing programs and services necessary to meet their goals.
Volunteer: Positions for a life skills instructor, child advocate, food preparer, office volunteer, maintenance worker, and special events are needed.
Donate.

The City of Chattanooga's Office of Homelessness & Supportive Housing

Mission: "To make homelessness a brief, rare, and non-recurring event for Chattanoogans."
Outreach Amazon Wishlist.

Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition

This Coalition works on a cohesive regional approach to ending homelessness by maximizing resources made available at all levels of government and private funds.
Donate.

Union Gospel Mission

Mission: A faith-based, residential program that helps individuals with life-controlling issues find their purpose in life by meeting needs + making change.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Salvation Army

Mission: Helping families to break the crisis cycle + taking a path out of intergenerational poverty, and more.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Chambliss Center for Children

Mission: Preserve family unity and help to prevent the dependency, neglect, abuse, and delinquency of children by responding to the community’s childcare needs.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Exodus Chattanooga

Mission: Connecting women in recovery with supportive housing, compassionate churches and hope.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area

Mission: Bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Good Neighbors Inc.

Mission: Help those who don’t meet the standard requirements for public assistance + are in need of emergency services.
Donate.

Recovery Within Reach + AIM Center Housing

Mission: To provide housing in support of the AIM Center, which provides low income housing for individuals with mental illnesses.

Help Right Here

Mission: Deliver survival support and housing assistance where needed most with hope that by offering these services to Hamilton County’s most vulnerable citizens, empathy and engagement will evolve and grow from other sectors of the population.
Volunteer at an event.
Donate.

Chattanooga Free Store

Mission: A mutual aid organization that aims to practice community care – a mindset where we take care of each other, we keep each other safe, fed, and healthy, and where we can rely on each other.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga

Mission: Exists to help families with children achieve and sustain independence through community partnerships.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Welcome Home

Mission: To create a community of hope, healing, and compassion for those who are facing a serious illness or death and need safe shelter.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Mustard Tree Ministries

Mission: Dedicated to eradicating homelessness and poverty one life, one community at a time.
Volunteer.
Donate.

MetMin Metropolitan Ministries

Mission: Answer the calls for financial assistance to those in our community who have exhausted all other options.
Volunteer.
Donate.

Homeless Health Care Clinic

Mission: Provides Hamilton County’s homeless population with diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, routine physical exams, issuance of medications, mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment, assistance with entitlement programs and housing placement, and transportation to and from the clinic.

Did we miss an organization? Let us know and we’ll continue to update our list.