How does Homeless Intake Shelters & Drop-In Centers work?

Homeless Intake Centers offer services to help you avoid homelessness and provide temporary shelter as a last resort. Once you’re in shelter, you’ll need to: develop a plan to move into permanent housing apply for and maintain eligibility for Public Assistance find and stay in a job if you are able to work follow shelter rules Homeless Drop-In Centers (DICs) offer services to help you transition off the street including: hot meals and clothing showers and laundry facilities counseling, case management services, and connecting you to health care help finding a job or applying for benefits help finding transitional housing options for you if you choose Immigration status is not considered when going to Homeless Intake Centers or Homeless Drop-In Centers. Interpreter assistance is available if you don’t speak English.

Homeless Intake Shelters and Drop-In Centers (DICs)

How it works

If you’re homeless or have a housing crisis, you can apply for shelter or get help to avoid shelter altogether.

Homeless Intake Centers offer services to help you avoid homelessness and provide temporary shelter as a last resort. Once you’re in shelter, you’ll need to:
- develop a plan to move into permanent housing
- apply for and maintain eligibility for Public Assistance
- find and stay in a job if you are able to work
- follow shelter rules
Homeless Drop-In Centers (DICs) offer services to help you transition off the street including:
- hot meals and clothing
- showers and laundry facilities
- counseling, case management services, and connecting you to health care
- help finding a job or applying for benefits
- help finding transitional housing options for you if you choose
Immigration status is not considered when going to Homeless Intake Centers or Homeless Drop-In Centers.
Interpreter assistance is available if you don’t speak English.

Eligibility requirements

To see if you’re eligible for shelter, visit an intake center. Workers will interview you about your living situation to see if you’re eligible. In some cases, workers might offer you services to help you avoid shelter.

Homeless drop-in centers are available to everyone.

Required documents

Here are documents you’ll need:

How to apply

To apply for shelter, you’ll need to go to an intake center first. Make sure you go to the right intake center depending on your age or family situation. Intake centers are open 24/7, including holidays. Bring your documents with you.

Single Adult Men (18 or older)

30th Street Intake Center For Men
400-430 East 30th Street (at 1st Avenue), New York, NY 10016

Single Adult Women (18 or older)

Franklin Shelter For Women
1122 Franklin Avenue
Bronx, NY 10456
929-281-2330

HELP Women’s Center
104-152 Williams Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207

Adult families (with no children under 21)

Adult Family Intake Center (AFIC)
400-430 East 30th Street (corner of 1st Avenue)
New York, NY 10016

Families with children younger than 21, pregnant women, or families with pregnant women

Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing Office (PATH)
151 East 151st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
718-503-6400

Other Options

For Drop-In Centers (DICS), see this list of locations in every borough.
Youth ages 14–24 can visit Runaway and Homeless Youth Drop-In Centers that are managed by NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).
Contact Homebase if you’re not homeless but are at risk of entering shelter.

Get help

Visit the website

Learn more about different shelter options from DHS.

Call 311

Ask for information about shelter services or directions.

Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

Last Updated June 4, 2025

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Homeless shelters and services

Homeless Intake Shelters & Drop-In Centers | NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS)

How it works

More ways to get help with this program

Eligibility requirements

Required documents

How to apply

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