Emergency Center & Medical Respite

Emergency Shelter & Medical Respite

For individuals experiencing homelessness, a safe place to stay can be the first step toward recovery, stability, and a different future. Bethesda House provides emergency shelter and Medical Respite services that address immediate needs while helping individuals connect with the support and resources necessary to move forward.

Our Emergency Shelter provides overnight accommodations and a safe, supportive environment for individuals who would otherwise be without shelter. Beyond a place to sleep, guests can access meals, case management, social work, street outreach, and connections to healthcare, housing resources, and other community services. Staff work with individuals to identify immediate needs, address barriers, and explore options for greater stability. Emergency shelter is more than a temporary refuge; it is an opportunity to build trust, connect with supportive services, and begin working toward a safer and more stable living situation.

Medical Respite at Cara House

Bethesda House's Medical Respite Program, located at our Cara House facility, provides six beds in a 24/7 staffed setting for individuals experiencing homelessness who are recovering from an illness or injury and are not well enough to return to the streets or a traditional shelter. Also known as recuperative care, Medical Respite bridges the gap between hospital care and community living by offering a safe, supportive place to recover while helping individuals address their broader healthcare and housing needs.

Through care coordination and connections with healthcare providers and community partners, the program helps individuals navigate follow-up appointments, manage ongoing medical needs, and access additional supportive services. By providing a stable environment for recovery, Medical Respite helps address the challenges of healing without housing and supports a more coordinated transition from hospital care to community living.

Benefits of Medical Respite Include:

• Reduced hospital readmissions and emergency department visits.
• Improved health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Potential reductions in overall healthcare costs.
• Increased access to permanent housing and other supportive services.
• A safe, staffed environment that supports recovery and continuity of care.

Through Emergency Shelter and Medical Respite, Bethesda House addresses the interconnected challenges of homelessness, health, and housing instability. By combining safe accommodations with individualized support and connections to community resources, we help individuals meet immediate needs, recover with dignity, and work toward improved health, housing stability, and a more secure future.