Created by Advocates for Advocates

When domestic violence shelters are at capacity, advocates and support staff often spend critical time calling multiple programs (sometimes across regions or state lines), trying to locate emergency housing for survivors in crisis. Without real-time shelter bed availability, this process can involve delays, unanswered calls, and added stress during moments when survivors may be in immediate danger.

For survivors of domestic violence, every minute matters. And for advocates, time spent searching for open shelter beds is time taken away from providing trauma-informed care, safety planning, and emotional support.

DVBeds makes finding open shelter beds faster, safer, and easier — at no cost to your program.

What Is DVBeds?

DVBeds is a FREE, secure, and easy-to-use shelter bed availability tool created by domestic violence advocates for advocates. The platform provides real-time visibility into available shelter beds at participating domestic violence programs — both locally and across state lines — so survivors can be connected to safe housing faster.

Now active in 29 states and expanding nationwide, DVBeds streamlines emergency housing searches, saves staff time, and strengthens collaboration across the domestic violence service network all at no cost to participating programs.

Who DVBeds Is For

DVBeds is designed for organizations and programs that provide:

• Residential shelter services

• Non-residential advocacy and support

• Supportive services for survivors of domestic violence

Access is available to advocates and staff within participating programs to foster secure collaboration and trauma-informed, survivor-centered support.

Built by Advocates, for Survivors

DVBeds was designed by shelter advocates who experienced firsthand how difficult and time-consuming it can be to find safe emergency housing during peak demand. The tool centers survivor safety, advocate efficiency, and trauma-informed connection all without collecting personal survivor data.

The DVBeds Timeline

Launching in 2019, DVBeds started as a community-led effort to connect survivors in crisis to safe housing quickly during peak demand. Today, it equips advocates with enhanced information to connect survivors to shelter faster—and offers the same visibility, efficiency, and collaborative network to domestic violence programs nationwide.

Collaboration Through the Advocate Exchange

Participation in DVBeds also includes access to The National Domestic Violence Advocate Exchange, a secure online community created by and for advocates. Through The Exchange, advocates can connect with peers nationwide, share resources, exchange ideas, and find encouragement through shared experience.