Where to start if you need shelter tonight

If you need a bed tonight in New York City, call 311 or go to a Drop-In Center run by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The city operates intake sites in each borough where staff assess your situation and place you in a shelter bed the same day if one is available. You do not need an appointment, proof of residency, or prior registration — you show up and speak to an intake worker.

Outside New York City, call your county's Department of Social Services or search "homeless shelter [your county]" plus "New York" to find local programs. Rural and suburban counties often have fewer beds and longer wait times, so calling ahead to confirm availability is important.

If you are in when ready danger or having a mental health crisis, call 911 or go to an emergency room. If you are a veteran, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 then press 1 for when ready placement help.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 311 in New York City or visit a DHS Drop-In Center to enter the shelter system the same day without an appointment.
  • Shelters in New York City are operated by DHS and contracted nonprofits; you cannot choose which shelter you enter, but intake staff will note any safety concerns.
  • You will need to show photo ID or other proof of identity, though staff can work with you if you have lost documents.
  • Shelters provide a bed, meals, and access to case management; some also offer job training, mental health services, or substance use treatment.
  • Staying in a shelter does not affect your immigration status, and you can work or receive benefits while sheltered.

What happens at intake and what to bring

When you arrive at a Drop-In Center or call 311, an intake worker will ask you basic questions: your name, date of birth, whether you have ever been in a DHS shelter before, and whether you have any medical or safety needs. They will also ask about your income, family members, and whether you have a place to go. This conversation usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Bring a photo ID if you have one — a driver's license, passport, or state ID. If you do not have ID, bring any document with your name and date of birth: a birth certificate, Social Security card, or old lease. If you have lost all documents, tell the intake worker; they can still place you and help you replace documents later.

Bring any medications you take, along with the bottles if possible so staff know the dosage. If you have a medical condition, tell the intake worker — shelters have nurses on site and can connect you to doctors. Bring a change of clothes and any items you need for hygiene, though shelters provide basic supplies.

How shelter placement works in New York City

DHS runs a centralized placement system. After intake, you are assigned to a shelter based on bed availability, your gender, your age (adult, family, or youth), and any safety or medical needs you report. You cannot request a specific shelter, but you can tell intake staff if you have concerns — for example, if you need to stay near a job, a school, or a family member in a particular location.

Placement usually happens within a few hours of intake. You will be given a shelter address, a bed assignment, and information about meal times and rules. Most shelters operate 24 hours, though some are night-only (you sleep there but leave during the day). A few shelters are drop-in only, meaning you can stay during the day but must leave at night.

Once placed, you are assigned a case manager who helps you work toward permanent housing. Case managers connect you to job training, mental health services, substance use treatment, and other support. You are not required to participate in these services to keep your bed, but they can speed up your path to housing.

Rules, length of stay, and what shelters provide

Shelters have rules: no weapons, no drugs or alcohol on site, and a curfew (usually 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., though this varies). Breaking rules can result in a warning, a suspension, or discharge. If you are discharged, you can reapply at intake the next day. Shelters do not evict people for having a mental illness, a disability, or a criminal record, but they do enforce safety rules.

There is no time limit on how long you can stay in a DHS shelter. You can remain sheltered while your case manager works on finding you permanent housing. The average stay is several months, though some people stay longer and some leave sooner.

Shelters provide a bed, three meals a day, and access to a case manager. Many also offer showers, laundry, phone charging, and a place to store belongings. Some shelters have on-site mental health counselors, substance use counselors, or job training programs. You can work while sheltered, and your income does not affect your shelter placement.

Shelter options for families, youth, and special populations

Families with children are placed in family shelters, which are separate from single-adult shelters. Family shelters provide more space, often with private or semi-private rooms. Children can attend school from the shelter address, and case managers help families find permanent housing.

Young people ages 16 to 24 can enter youth shelters, which are designed for independent living. Youth shelters often have fewer rules than family or adult shelters and focus on job training and education. If you are under 16, you must be placed with a parent or guardian, or DHS will contact the Administration for Children's Services.

Survivors of domestic violence can request placement in a confidential shelter. These shelters do not share their address with the public and have extra security. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for help finding one.

LGBTQ+ individuals can request placement in a shelter with affirming staff and policies. DHS has shelters that prioritize safety and respect for transgender and non-binary residents.

Documents you may need and how to replace them

While you do not need documents to enter a shelter, having them makes it easier to move toward permanent housing and work. A photo ID, birth certificate, and Social Security card are the most important. Your case manager can help you replace documents through the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Vital Records office, or the Social Security Administration.

If you have a criminal record, you can still enter a shelter. DHS does not screen people out based on past convictions. However, some permanent housing programs do consider criminal history, so your case manager will help you understand which programs may be open to you.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can still enter a DHS shelter. Shelter placement does not affect your immigration status or your path to citizenship. You can work while sheltered, and you may be able to access some benefits depending on your immigration status and the type of benefit.

What to do if you are turned away or have a complaint

Shelters must accept anyone who shows up and meets the basic criteria (you are homeless and in New York City). If you are turned away, ask to speak to a supervisor and explain your situation. If the shelter says it is full, ask to be placed on a waiting list or transferred to another shelter.

If you have a complaint about a shelter — unsafe conditions, staff misconduct, or a rule you believe is unfair — tell your case manager first. If that does not resolve it, you can file a complaint with DHS by calling 311 or visiting the DHS website. You can also contact a legal aid organization like the Legal Aid Society, which represents homeless people for free.

If you are discharged from a shelter and believe it was unfair, you have the right to a hearing before DHS. Ask for a hearing at intake when you reapply, and legal aid can represent you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my pet to a shelter?

Most DHS shelters do not allow pets, but a few have pet-friendly beds. Tell the intake worker that you have a pet, and they will try to place you in a pet-friendly shelter if one has availability. If no pet-friendly bed is available, some animal rescue organizations can temporarily foster your pet while you are sheltered.

What if I have a job or go to school — can I stay in a shelter?

Yes. You can work or attend school while sheltered. Some shelters are night-only, meaning you sleep there but leave during the day. Most 24-hour shelters allow you to come and go during the day. Tell your case manager about your job or school so they can help you find permanent housing near your workplace or school.

Do I have to participate in programs or services to keep my shelter bed?

No. You can stay in a shelter without participating in job training, mental health services, or other programs. However, your case manager will encourage you to participate because these services often speed up your path to permanent housing. If you refuse all services, your case manager may move more slowly on finding you housing.

What if I have a substance use disorder or mental illness?

Shelters cannot turn you away because of a mental illness or substance use disorder. Many shelters have counselors on site or can connect you to treatment. If you use drugs or alcohol, you cannot do so inside the shelter, but you can seek treatment. Tell your case manager about your needs, and they will help you find services.

Can I stay in a shelter if I have a criminal record?

Yes. DHS does not screen people out based on criminal history. Some permanent housing programs do consider criminal history, so your case manager will help you understand which programs may work for you and may connect you to legal services to address your record.