I’m at risk of becoming homeless - what do I do?
New Yorkers experiencing housing instability in the community have access to several homeless prevention services through a program called Homebase. Homebase can help you develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. They can connect you to rental assistance programs like CityFHEPS, as well as other programs which may help you. There are Homebase locations throughout the five boroughs. Click here to find the closest one to you. To learn more about the Housing Assistance Programs (HAP, formerly SEPS) in NYC, which can help connect single adults and adult families to rental assistance programs, click here.
In addition, people charged with misdemeanor crimes in Brooklyn or Manhattan are eligible for a homelessness prevention program through the Liberty Fund, which can help place clients in housing. If you are interested in joining the program, call the CJA Helpline (646-213-2683, press 4) and speak with an Outreach Member.
Lastly, free legal assistance may be available to tenants facing eviction in Housing Court. New York City is implementing universal access to counsel for tenants in housing court. To access legal services, you can:
Call Housing Court Answers at 212-962-4795 from Monday - Friday, between 9am and 5pm, or visit their website here.
Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline.
Email OCJ at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov. Please provide a name, telephone number, and a Housing Court case index number for your eviction case (if you have one) in your email.
Check out this guide for tenants facing eviction.
Visit this website for additional information.
I live in a NYCHA development, what resources do I have? There are a number of available resources for NYCHA tenants including rent reductions for people with rent hardship please visit: on.nyc.gov/rent-hardship. For the latest information on NYCHA rent policies, you can contact the Customer Service Center at (718) 707-7771. Emergency repairs can also be requested via the Customer Service Center at 718-707-7771.
I’m in immediate need of shelter - what do I do?
Coalition for the Homeless has created a special crisis hotline for individuals who are in immediate need of shelter or other critical needs. Call 212-776-2177 for more information.
If you or anyone you know is in need of immediate assistance, you can call 311 and ask for “street outreach.” A mobile outreach team will visit you on the street and can help with connections to services and housing. You can also find more information at this website.
If you need the address to visit a shelter intake center:
All single adult males must apply for shelter at the 30th Street Intake Center, located at 400-430 East 30th Street in Manhattan (6 Train to 28th Street). The intake center is open 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.
All single adult women must apply for shelter at either the HELP Women’s Shelter, located at 116 Williams Avenue in Brooklyn (C Train to Liberty Avenue), or the Franklin Shelter, located at 1122 Franklin Avenue in the Bronx (2 Train to 149th Street, followed by the #55 bus to 166th Street and 3rd Avenue).
Adult families with no children under age 21 can apply for shelter at the Adult Family Intake Center (AFIC), located at 400-430 East 30th Street in Manhattan (6 Train to 28th Street).
Families with children under 21 & pregnant women can apply for shelter at the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing Office (PATH), located at 151 East 151st Street in the Bronx (2, 4 or 5 Train to 149th Street - Grand Concourse).
Identification is not required for admittance into an intake shelter.
If you need the address to visit a Drop-in center:
The NYC Department of Homeless Services operates five Drop-In Centers throughout the city. Drop-In Centers provide hot meals, clothing, counseling, medical care, showers, laundry facilities, recreational space, assistance with employment, or applying for benefits. Staff can also assist individuals with finding a safe and secure place to sleep. For more information, you can visit this website. The following Drop-In Centers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Mainchance - located at 120 East 32nd Street in Manhattan (6 Train to 33rd Street)
Olivieri Center - located at 257 West 30th Street in Manhattan (near Penn Station - 1/2/3/A/C/E Trains to 34th Street - Penn Station)
The Living Room - located at 800 Barretto Street in the Bronx (6 Train to Hunts Point Avenue)
The Gathering Place - located at 2402 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn (A Train to Broadway Junction)
Breaking Ground - located at 100-32 Atlantic Avenue in Queens (at 102nd Street)
Project Hospitality - located at 25 Central Avenue in Staten Island (no subway service available)
I’m under 24 years old and in need of shelter - what do I do?
The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) provides services for young people who experiencing homeless and/or who have run away, which include Drop-In Centers, Crisis Services Programs, Transitional Independent Living Programs, and Street Outreach and Referral Services. Call DYCD Youth Connect at 800-246-4646 or 646-343-6800 for more information.
Covenant House New York also provides housing and support services for young people who are experiencing homelessness. They operate a Crisis Shelter, located at 460 West 41st Street in Manhattan. Urgent needs are met immediately - meals, showers, clean clothes and medical attention. The shelter is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and no referral is needed. Call 212-613-0300 for more information.
Do you have other questions about homelessness not answered here? If so, call the CJA Helpline (646-213-2683, press 4) to talk to an Outreach Member and see if you can get the answer to your question.