More than 1,000 people live on the streets of St. Louis City each day.

And that is a low estimate. Most often a combination of unfortunate circumstances creates homelessness. The common thread is the lack of access to affordable, safe housing.

Many organizations exist in St. Louis to help this population, but most serve homeless families, or homeless women and children. Homeless single adult men are underserved among those who live unhoused. That’s why we are here, to help men stabilize their lives and find a home to call their own.

1212 North 13th Street | Saint Louis, MO 63101 | (314) 612-1675

Biddle Housing Opportunities Center (BHOC) is a year-round, 24-hour emergency shelter for homeless single adult men. The center provides beds, meals, showers, laundry, lockers, and a safe, caring alternative to living on the street. BHOC is owned by the City of St. Louis and operated under contract by PPCS as of August 2022. Read the news release about PPCS as new operator.

The shelter has 101 beds operating at maximum capacity. During extreme weather, BHOC provides as many as 50 cots in addition to the beds.

BHOC staff members assess and support guests by directing them to community resources that fit their needs and goals, including:

• Health and mental health services
• Developmental disability services
• Veteran services

How to Access a Bed

You must have a referral. This shelter does not accept walk-ins and is not open to the public.

1. To obtain a referral, call 2-1-1, the United Way Helpline. Ask for access to shelter. The line opens daily at 7:30 a.m. If you do not get a bed at one of the emergency shelters on the first day, continue to try every day early in the morning until a bed is available.
2. Visit the St. Patrick Center Welcome Center (800 N. Tucker St., St. Louis, MO 63101) Monday-Friday by 8 a.m. Early arrival suggested.

BHOC and the Soulard Shelter operate under the principles of Housing First and participate in the St. Louis Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry System.