Women’s Center to manage Wake County Drop-In Overnight Shelter During Second Street Shelter Renovation

The Women’s Center is operating Wake County’s drop-in overnight shelter for men and women on a temporary basis starting April 20, 2026. This change is due to planned renovation to the County’s Second Street Shelter, expected to last through October of this year. The new drop-in shelter site is located at 3211 Bramer Drive in Raleigh, previously the site of Torchlight Academy.

Operating hours for the overnight shelter will be 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. The Bramer Drive location provides a warm, safe environment designed to address the urgent need for emergency shelter in Wake County. The facility will provide immediate, safe overnight accommodation for up to 100 individuals per night.

Beginning Monday, May 4, the Women’s Center Day Shelter program will also operate out of the Bramer Drive building, ensuring that women have consistent access to essential daytime resources, support, and services. This will take the Bramer Drive location to 24-hour operations, meaning local unhoused women will have safe, stable shelter around the clock.

Executive Director Amy Smith expressed her excitement for the expansion, stating, “This transition presents a meaningful opportunity for us to expand our reach, offering more space and flexibility to better support the women we serve. With this added capacity, we are not only meeting immediate needs but also planning for a future in which we are able to serve all women experiencing homelessness in our community.”