Your Path to
Independence

No, although our agency was founded by the Collin County Ministerial Alliance (an association of churches in the area), our program respects our residents’ Constitutional right to practice (or not practice) their religious beliefs as they see fit. There are no program requirements for our residents to attend church or practice any religion or faith walk. However, there is a chapel on site with access to Bibles for quiet time. Additionally, local churches provide contact details for residents to reach out directly in order to engage with the local faith-based community. We do not provide transportation for these services.   

The length of your stay will be determined by the specifics of your case. With the help of your assigned case worker and your input, the length of stay will be dependent on the specific needs you (and your family, if applicable) have (i.e., debt owed, ability to save, etc.). You must be willing to follow the requirements of the program and show an ability to make progress towards being self-sufficient while at The Samaritan Inn. 

You will need a current government-issued ID and your social security card. If social security cards are not available, applicants must know their social security number. If you have children with you, you will need the child’s social security card, and it is highly encouraged to have their birth certificates as well. You must be willing to work full time while residing with us. You will also need to be drug and alcohol free for the last 30 days and have no violent offenses on your criminal record. Currently there is a 30-day probationary period allowed if a resident fails the initial drug test for THC. They will be permitted into the program, retested randomly, and must remain clean for the entirety of your stay at the Inn. Exceptions will be made, on a case-by-case basis, for violent offenses older than 10 years. Please visit saminn.org/becomearesident for more details regarding the intake process.  

The Samaritan Inn is one of the few homeless programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that has kennels to house a resident’s dog. Services are limited by the space available. Please call ahead before planning to bring your dog with you to our campus. Unfortunately, at this time, we are only able to provide housing and care for dogs.  

Due to reasons that include limited personnel, scheduling, etc., we are unable to provide regular transportation to our residents to go to work or attend church.  On a case-by-case basis, and at the discretion of a case worker, residents may be provided a ride to one-time events like applying for benefits at a government agency or attending a doctor’s appointment. Otherwise, residents are required to provide their own transportation, ride a bike, or walk. We want to ensure the independence of our residents and set them up for success in the future after their stay at The Samaritan Inn. Encouraging residents to seek more permanent means of transportation is essential to our program goals and philosophy.  

For school-age children: 

The dedicated Family Care Team members assist parents with arranging transportation needs in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act to ensure the children we serve can remain in their original school districts (if they choose to). They can also assist with enrollment/transportation arrangements for those who wish to transfer to McKinney ISD. Also, to assist resident parents succeed in our program, our trained staff provides child oversight in the mornings from 5 am to 9 am and in the afternoons from 4pm until 9pm Monday-Friday to allow parents to return from work, attend counseling sessions, case worker meetings and/or classes. For all other times, child care is the responsibility of the resident parent. 

 Non-School age children: 

Upon entry, case workers and our child advocate will work with resident parents and help with enrollment for subsidized child care or help build a support system/family to assist with the care of the child. When there is no outside support or a parent is awaiting subsidized childcare, The Samaritan Inn partners with Holy Family School to provide 30 days of paid child care when space is available.  

Previous residents may apply for services and residency one year after they have exited The Samaritan Inn the first time. Re-admission will be on a case-by-case basis after a determination has been made on whether the program could still benefit the resident (and their family, if applicable).  

The success of The Samaritan Inn program is partially dependent on the resident’s ability to work and save money. We find that those with a disability or unable to work because they may lose their disability payments are better served by an agency that will not put their disability status in jeopardy. Please contact us for a referral list of other providers in our area. We do allow our residents receiving disability into our program providing they are able to work part-time.

Often times, victims of domestic violence or intimate partner violence require a level of security our program does not offer. For example, our location is common knowledge and our address is listed on the internet. We are unable to provide a high level of security to protect the family from the aggressor. However, if you are a victim of domestic violence in your past that no longer requires that level of protection, then we welcome you to apply for admission. 

At The Samaritan Inn in McKinney, most residents stay 4–6 months, but the program is individualized based on each person’s goals and progress toward self-sufficiency.

The Samaritan Inn serves single men, single women, and families with children experiencing homelessness in Collin County, providing shelter, case management, and life-skills programs.

The Samaritan Inn is funded through individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, churches, community partners, fundraising events, and volunteers.

If you have nowhere to live, you may qualify for emergency or transitional housing at organizations like The Samaritan Inn, which provides shelter and support services for eligible individuals and families.

Yes. The Samaritan Inn provides three nutritious meals each day to shelter residents and also operates a community food pantry for eligible local households.

Staying at The Samaritan Inn is free for eligible residents. Shelter, meals, and support services are provided at no cost.

Yes. The Samaritan Inn provides transitional housing, case management, and affordable Gateway Apartments for qualifying program graduates, along with limited emergency financial assistance when available.

At The Samaritan Inn, single adults share a room with up to three others of the same gender. Families with children receive a private family room so they can stay together.

If you have no money, you may qualify for free emergency or transitional shelter at organizations like The Samaritan Inn, depending on eligibility and availability. The Samaritan Inn provides housing, meals, case management, counseling, and other support at no cost to residents.

The Samaritan Inn was founded by the Collin County Ministerial Alliance, but residents are not required to be Christian or participate in religious activities. The organization respects every resident’s choice to practice—or not practice—a religion. There is an on-site chapel, but participation is voluntary.

If you’re experiencing homelessness in North Texas, you can contact shelters like The Samaritan Inn for transitional housing if you meet admission requirements. Other options may include emergency shelters, warming or cooling centers, and coordinated entry services in Dallas and Collin County, depending on your location and immediate needs.

Yes. At The Samaritan Inn, families with children stay together in their own room, while single men and women are housed separately.

People experiencing homelessness in Dallas stay in a variety of places, including emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, encampments, vehicles, or temporarily with friends or family. Those seeking services often connect with organizations such as shelters and coordinated entry programs that help match them with available housing resources.

One of the most consistently requested donations is personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products), followed by socks, underwear, blankets, and shelf-stable food. Demand varies by season and shelter.

New socks are widely considered the most requested clothing item because they wear out quickly and help prevent foot problems. Many shelters also frequently request new underwear, seasonal coats, and sturdy shoes.

No. Simply becoming homeless does not cause you to lose Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, it’s important to keep the Social Security Administration updated with a mailing address, phone number, or contact person so you don’t miss important notices or benefit reviews. If you’re staying at a shelter like The Samaritan Inn, staff can often help you maintain your benefits and connect you with additional assistance.

Some additional resources include:

One Heart McKinney – https://oneheartmckinney.org/

Find Help – https://findhelp.org/

Neighbor Solutions Get Help App – https://www.neighbor.solutions/app