1. 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.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Learn more about different shelter options from DHS.
Call 311
Ask for information about shelter services or directions.
2. Determine your eligibility
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.
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3. What you need to include
Here are documents you’ll need:
Families with children under 21, pregnant women, or families with pregnant women
When going to the intake center, you must have ID for all members of your household 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 or 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 at the PATH intake center to help you get your information and documents from government agencies.
Adult families (with no children under 21)
Adult families 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 or visa
- picture employment card
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Medicaid card
- Identity card in the Public Assistance System
- If working, your most recent pay stub
You’ll also need to give proof of residence for the last year. Try to bring documents such as:
- eviction papers or marshal’s notices
- leases
- Con Edison or telephone bills
- pay stubs or proof of income.
Single adults (18 or older)
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
- green card
- Social Security card
- Medicaid card, if available
- If working, your most recent pay stub
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4. How to apply
Apply in person
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
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.
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