Comparing Shelter Bed Availability Tools

Despite our best efforts as advocates and organizations, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking have — for too long — been forced to navigate the complex process of emergency shelter location and placement. Survivors and advocates may spend hours on the phone searching for appropriate shelter options, compelling survivors to re-tell their story with no guarantee of a bed. In response to this pressing need, several tech-based solutions have emerged for locating, and sometimes booking, available shelter beds. To support the field, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) developed this comparison chart. It compiles the information most useful to programs seeking to understand similarities, differences, and which tool(s) might be best suited for your organization, survivor population(s), and work.