The Zaban Couples Center opened in February, 1984 as a program of The Temple in Atlanta, Georgia. Located in the classrooms of the Breman Religious School, the shelter housed 7 couples the first season. After several years the need for a permanent home became obvious. Temple member Erwin Zaban graciously donated the funds necessary to renovate the third floor of The Selig Building, on the campus of The Temple, and the resulting facility was named The Temple's Zaban Shelter for the Homeless.

Until the 2008-09 season, this program operated entirely as a volunteer endeavor. Over 2000 individuals have provided close to 7500 hours of volunteer hours annually—and have done so for 25 years! Acknowledging the need for independent fundraising, The Temple created a board of governance and hired a professional executive director for the renamed Zaban Couples Center.

Open annually from October 15-April 30, the Center provides housing and two meals daily for 22 homeless couples. Each couple is provided a private bedroom, linens and laundry supplies. Residents are required to attend AA and NA meetings held in the Center. In lieu of paying a fee to reside at the Center, couples are assigned basic chores on a rotating basis. Additionally, residents are linked with social service providers to help them break the cycle of homelessness.

Volunteer support for the Zaban Couples Center comes from The Temple, Morehouse College and numerous other synagogue and church congregations throughout Atlanta. The volunteer network supplies and serves each evening meal as well as provides evening and overnight supervision to assist the Resident Managers. Providing services to only couples, the Center has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest facilities of its kind in the nation.