The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) prevents homelessness wherever possible and provides short-term emergency shelter and re-housing support whenever needed. These goals are best achieved through partnerships with those they serve, public agencies, and the business and non-profit communities.
For more information and/or immediate assistance call 311. Click here for the quick list of DHS’ intake centers and drop-in centers.
* Homeless Shelter National Directory
* Families With Children
* Adult Families
* Single Adults
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
APPLYING FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE
What constitutes a family with children?
DHS considers families with children to be the following households:
- Families with children younger than 21 years of age
- Pregnant women
- Families with a pregnant woman
Where do families with children apply for shelter?
All families with children must apply for shelter at:
Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH)
151 East 151st Street
Bronx, NY
PATH is open 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.
PATH processes applications during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
The main telephone number for PATH is (917) 521-3900.
How to Get There:
Subway: Take the 2, 4, or 5 train to 149th Street/Grand Concourse Station. Head west on E. 149th Street toward Grand Concourse. Walk north on Grand Concourse two blocks, to E. 151st Street and turn left. Walk two blocks to Walton Avenue. The PATH office is located at the corner on your right.
To learn more about PATH, click here to download our brochure
What do families need to bring to PATH in order to apply for shelter?
All families who are applying for shelter at PATH must have proper identification for all members of their household, such as:
- Any form of ID with a picture and proof of age, such as welfare ID card, green card, driver’s license, passport/visa, or picture employment card.
- Birth certificate
- Social security card
- Medicaid card
- Identity card in the Public Assistance system
- If working, your most recent pay stub
Family workers are available on-site to help families obtain necessary information and documents from government agencies and third parties, to the extent reasonably possible.
What if I don’t speak English?
Interpreter assistance will be made available for individuals who do not speak English.
What is involved with the application process at PATH?
Families with children must apply for shelter in order to ensure that they do not have an alternative housing option available to them. DHS firmly believes that families are best served in their communities through prevention efforts, and that they should only utilize temporary emergency shelter as a last resort when they are experiencing an immediate housing crisis.
Once a family arrives at PATH, they will first be interviewed by a Human Resources Administration (HRA) caseworker, who will inquire about their living situation and explain the services that may help them avoid entering shelter- including family mediation, anti-eviction legal services, out-of-city relocation assistance, Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS), or a one-shot deal through HRA.
If these services do not apply to a family’s specific circumstances, a DHS family worker interviews the family to obtain information about their prior living situation. Families may be assigned a temporary shelter placement for up to 10 days while DHS investigates the information provided during the interview. Based on the investigation, DHS determines whether the family is eligible or ineligible for shelter, based on whether they have fully cooperated with the application and eligibility process and/or have other housing options available to them.
What if I don’t agree with the Agency’s eligibility determination?
Every household has a right to a legal conference at PATH if they are found ineligible and disagree with the decision. In addition, they have 60 days after being found ineligible to request a Fair Hearing from New York State.
Again, the eligibility process is designed to ensure that resources are being preserved for those who are truly in need, and that families with housing alternatives can remain stably housed in the community. While shelter is a valuable resource to those in need, it should never be considered a home.
THE SHELTER SYSTEM
What is expected of families in shelter?
DHS operates and maintains approximately 150 shelters for families with children-the majority of which are contracted through nonprofit social service providers. Once a family enters shelter, they have certain responsibilities that they must meet, including obtaining and maintaining employment for all those who are able to work.
With the assistance of their caseworkers, families will develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP), a document that outlines relevant goals to exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency. Now, more than ever, employment-focused programs and work supports remain a cornerstone of DHS’ efforts to help clients move back to permanency. Through DHS’ policy of Client Responsibility, families in shelter must actively participate in this process and take strides toward independent living.
Expectations for Families with Children in Shelter:
- Cooperate in carrying out, developing and completing their ILP, which includes steps toward obtaining permanent housing
- Applying for Public Assistance (PA) and completing all requirements necessary for establishing and maintaining eligibility for PA benefits
- If able to work, actively seeking employment and accepting a suitable job offer when it is offered
- Working closely with their caseworker or housing specialist to locate and view available apartments
- Actively seeking permanent housing by viewing available apartments several times per week
ADULT FAMILIES
APPLYING FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE
What constitutes an adult family?
The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) considers an adult family to be any family without minor children, including the following household compositions:
- Applicants who are a legally married couple and present a valid original marriage certificate; or
- Applicants who are a domestic partners couple and present a valid original domestic partnership certificate; or
- Adults who provide, as part of their application for Temporary Housing Assistance, proof establishing the medical dependence of one applicant upon another; Two or more adults who can provide birth certificates to prove a parent/child or sibling family relationship or share a “caretaking” (emotionally or physically supportive) relationship, including: (i) aunt/uncle to niece/nephew; (ii) grandparent to grandchild; (iii) parent to child or step-child; and (iv) siblings; and can demonstrate that they have resided with one another for 180 days within the year immediately prior to the date of their application.
*Clients must be able to verify that their household constitutes a family as defined above.
Where do families with children over 21 apply for shelter?
Adult Family Intake Center (AFIC)
400-430 East 30th Street
New York, NY 10016.
AFIC is open 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.
How to Get There:
Subway: Take the 6 train to 28th Street. Walk east to 1st Avenue and turn left, heading north to 30th Street
Bus: M15 to 29th Street
What if I don’t speak English?
Interpreter assistance will be made available for individuals who do not speak English.
What do adult families need to bring to AFIC in order to apply for temporary housing assistance?
Adult families applying for shelter must have valid original identification, such as:
- Any form of ID with a picture and proof of age, such as a welfare ID card, green card, driver’s license, passport/visa, or picture employment card.
- Birth certificate,
- Social security card
- Medicaid card
- Identity card in the public assistance system
If working, your most recent pay stub
It is also a requirement for each applicant to provide proof of residence for the last year. As such, it is always useful if clients are able to bring documents such as eviction papers or marshal’s notices, leases, Con Edison or telephone bills, pay stubs, or proof of income.
Please be advised that clients should not bring the following items into AFIC:
- Any contraband, alcohol, or illegal substances (smoking is not allowed in public buildings within New York City)
- Expensive personal belongings (DHS is not responsible for lost or damaged goods)
- Friends and visitors, or anyone not a part of the applicant family
- Food
- Furniture
- Cameras
- Appliances
- Pets
What is involved with the application process for adult families?
Adult families must apply for shelter in order to ensure that they do not have an alternative housing option available to them. DHS firmly believes that families are best served in their communities through prevention efforts and that they should only utilize temporary emergency shelter as a last resort when they are experiencing an immediate housing crisis.
Once an adult family arrives at AFIC, they will first be interviewed by a caseworker, who will inquire about their living situation and explain the services that may help them avoid shelter altogether-including family mediation, anti-eviction legal services, out-of-city relocation assistance, Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS), or a one-shot deal through the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA).
If these services do not apply to a family’s specific circumstances, a DHS family worker interviews the family to obtain information about their prior living situation. Families may be assigned a temporary shelter placement for up to 10 days while DHS investigates the information provided during the interview. Based on the investigation, DHS determines whether the family is eligible or ineligible for shelter, based on whether they have fully cooperated with the application and eligibility process and/or have other housing options available to them.
What if I disagree with the Agency’s eligibility determination?
Every household has a right to a legal conference at AFIC if they are found ineligible and disagree with the decision. In addition, they have 60 days after being found ineligible to request a Fair Hearing from New York State.
THE SHELTER SYSTEM
What is expected of adult families in shelter?
Once clients enter shelter, they have certain responsibilities that they must meet, including obtaining and maintaining employment for all those who are able to work.
With the assistance of their caseworkers, households will develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP), a document that outlines relevant goals to exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency. Now, more than ever, employment-focused programs and work supports remain a cornerstone of DHS’ efforts to help clients move back to permanency. Through DHS’ policy of Client Responsibility, individuals and adult families in shelter must actively participate in this process and take strides toward independent living.
Expectations for Adult Families in Shelter:
- Cooperate in carrying out, developing and completing their ILP, which includes the steps toward obtaining permanent housing
- Applying for Public Assistance (PA) and completing all requirements necessary for establishing and maintaining eligibility for PA benefits
- If able to work, actively seeking employment and accepting a suitable job offer when it is offered.
- Working closely with their caseworker or housing specialist to locate and view available apartments
- Actively seeking permanent housing by viewing available apartments several times per week
- Accepting a suitable apartment when it is offered
- Following shelter guidelines that prohibit behavior that places other clients and staff at risk
Failing to abide by these rules may have serious consequences, including but not limited to the temporary discontinuance of shelter services. When clients work closely with shelter staff and follow these and other rules, DHS can best assist them to transition quickly back to the community.
SINGLE ADULTS
APPLYING FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE
What constitutes a single adult?
DHS considers a single adult to be any man or woman over the age of 18 who seeks shelter independently, without being accompanied by other adults and/or minors.
Where do single adults apply for shelter?
Men
All single adult males must apply at:
30th Street Intake Center
400-430 East 30th Street
New York, NY
30th Street is open 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.
How to Get There:
Subway: Take the 6 train to 28th Street. Walk east to 1st Avenue and turn left, heading north to 30th Street.
Entrance is now at 30th Street and 1st Avenue.
Women
All single adult women must apply at one of the following locations:
- HELP Women’s Shelter
116 Williams Avenue (between Liberty Avenue and Glenmore Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY
How to Get There:
Subway: Take the C train to Liberty Avenue.
- Franklin Shelter
1122 Franklin Avenue (near 166th Street)
Bronx, NYHow to Get There:
Take the 2 train to 149th Street, followed by the #55 bus to 166th Street and 3rd Avenue.
*Homeless individuals who have been in shelter in the last 12 months should return to the same shelter.
What do single adults need to bring to the intake center in order to apply for temporary housing assistance?
The following forms of ID are very helpful during the intake process (but are not required):
- Any form of ID with a picture and proof of age, such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport or visa, welfare card or green card
- Social Security card
- Medicaid card, if available
- If working, your most recent pay stub
What if I don’t speak English?
Interpreter assistance will be made available for individuals who do not speak English.
THE SHELTER SYSTEM
What is expected of single adults in shelter?
DHS operates the most comprehensive shelter services system for single adults in the country, with programs to assist individuals in overcoming homelessness and securing permanent housing. Once clients enter shelter, they have certain responsibilities that they must meet, including obtaining and maintaining employment for all those who are able to work.
Through DHS’ policy of Client Responsibility, individuals and adult families in shelter must actively participate in this process and take strides toward independent living. With the assistance of their caseworkers, households will develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP)-a document that outlines relevant goals to exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency. Now, more than ever, employment-focused programs and work supports remain a cornerstone of DHS’ efforts to help clients move out of shelter and into permanent housing.
Expectations for Single Adults in Shelter:
- Cooperate in carrying out, developing, and completing their ILP, which includes the steps toward obtaining permanent housing
- Applying for Public Assistance (PA) and completing all requirements necessary for establishing and maintaining eligibility for PA benefits
- If able to work, actively seeking employment and accepting a suitable job when it is offered.
- Working closely with their caseworker or housing specialist to locate and view available apartments
- Actively seeking permanent housing by viewing available apartments several times per week
- Accepting a suitable apartment when it is offered
- Following shelter rules that prohibit behavior that places other clients and staff at risk
Failing to abide by these rules may have serious consequences, including but not limited to the temporary discontinuance of shelter services. When clients work closely with shelter staff and follow these and other rules, DHS can best assist them to transition quickly back to the community.
Source: www.nyc.gov