How to get into a shelter in New York City
To enter a New York City shelter, you contact the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) intake line at 311 or go in person to a DHS intake center. You do not need an appointment, proof of residence, or identification to request shelter — the city is legally required to offer a bed to anyone who asks and has nowhere else to sleep that night. DHS will assess whether you meet the shelter system's definition of homelessness (no fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence) and, if you do, place you in a shelter or hotel within hours or by the next morning.
The process moves faster if you call 311 before evening. Intake centers stay open late, but placement happens more smoothly during business hours. If you arrive after midnight or on a weekend, you will still be placed, but the wait may be longer and your options more limited.
Key Takeaways
- Call 311 or walk into any DHS intake center to request shelter; you need no documents, no appointment, and no prior contact with the city.
- DHS must offer you a bed the same day or next morning if you have no place to sleep, regardless of immigration status or criminal history.
- Intake centers are located throughout the city; 311 will direct you to the nearest one or arrange transportation if you cannot travel.
- Once placed, you will receive a shelter assignment, rules of conduct, and information about services available at your location.
- Shelter stays are temporary; DHS also connects people to housing search information, job training, mental health services, and other support while you are sheltered.
What happens during intake
When you contact DHS or arrive at an intake center, a staff member will ask basic questions: your name, whether you have family or friends who could house you, whether you have any medical conditions or disabilities, and whether you have ever been in the shelter system before. This conversation determines what type of shelter or hotel bed you are offered and what services you may need.
DHS staff will also ask about your safety — whether you are fleeing domestic violence, whether you have been threatened, or whether you have concerns about where you will be placed. Tell them if you have safety concerns; they can place you in a facility that addresses those needs. You will not be turned away because of your answers.
After intake, you will be transported to a shelter or hotel. This can happen the same evening or by morning. You will receive a bed assignment, a set of house rules, and information about meal times and services. Most shelters provide three meals a day, a safe place to sleep, and access to case management — a staff member who helps you work toward housing and other goals.
Intake centers and how to reach them
DHS operates intake centers in each borough. The main intake center is located in Manhattan, but you can go to any center regardless of where you are. Calling 311 is the fastest way to find the center nearest you and to arrange transportation if you cannot get there on your own. Tell 311 that you need shelter, and they will direct you to the right location and tell you whether to go when ready or wait for a specific time.
If you are in crisis or unsafe, tell 311 that as well. They can arrange when ready placement or connect you to emergency services. If you are unable to call, you can walk into any DHS intake center during operating hours. Centers are open 24 hours, though intake processing is faster during daytime hours.
You do not need to know the address in advance. 311 will give it to you, or you can search "DHS intake center near me" online. The main centers are in Manhattan (33 Beaver Street), Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The Bronx center also serves Staten Island residents.
What to bring and what you do not need
You do not need identification, proof of income, a lease, or any documents to request shelter. Bring whatever you have — a bag of belongings, medications, medical records if you have them, or nothing at all. DHS will not turn you away because you lack documents.
If you have medications, bring them or the bottles they came in so staff know what you take. If you have a disability, a medical condition, or a mental health diagnosis, tell intake staff; this information helps them place you in a facility equipped to support you. If you have pets, tell DHS during intake — they have limited pet-friendly shelter beds, and knowing in advance helps them find you a placement that works.
If you have children with you, you will be placed in a family shelter. If you are a single adult, you will go to a single-adult shelter. Families and single adults are in separate facilities.
Rules and expectations in shelter
Every shelter has a set of house rules. These typically include curfew times (usually between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.), rules about guests, rules about alcohol and drugs, and expectations about keeping your area clean. Rules vary by shelter, and you will receive a written copy when you arrive. Breaking rules can result in warnings, loss of privileges, or discharge from the shelter.
Most shelters prohibit weapons, drugs, and alcohol on the premises. Many have quiet hours in the evening. Some require you to attend case management meetings or participate in job training or mental health services. These requirements exist to maintain safety and to help you move toward housing.
If you are discharged from a shelter for breaking rules, you can request shelter again by calling 311. DHS will reassess your situation and may place you in a different facility. Repeated discharges can make placement harder, but you retain the right to shelter if you are homeless.
Services available while you are sheltered
Shelters provide more than a bed. Most offer case management, which means a staff member works with you to create a plan for housing. They help you search for apartments, connect you to rental information programs, and address barriers to housing like credit issues or eviction history. Case managers also refer you to job training, mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and other services based on your needs.
Many shelters have on-site medical clinics, mental health services, and job training programs. Some partner with nonprofits that offer legal help, benefits counseling, or education programs. Ask your case manager what services are available at your location and how to access them.
The goal of the shelter system is not to keep people sheltered long-term but to help them move into permanent housing. Your case manager will work with you on this from the day you arrive. If you are working or receiving income, some of that money may go toward a security deposit or first month's rent for an apartment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a New York City resident to get shelter?
No. DHS must offer shelter to anyone who is homeless in New York City, regardless of where they are from or how long they have lived here. You do not need to prove residency or citizenship. Immigration status does not affect your right to shelter.
What if I have a criminal record or have been arrested?
A criminal record or arrest history does not disqualify you from shelter. DHS will place you based on your current housing situation and your needs. Some facilities may have restrictions based on specific convictions, but you will not be denied shelter because of your past.
Can I stay in shelter with my partner or family members?
If you have children, you will be placed in a family shelter with them. If you are a couple without children, DHS may place you together or separately depending on bed availability and facility rules. Ask intake staff about your options. If you are separated, you can request to be reunited, and case managers can help coordinate that.
How long can I stay in a shelter?
There is no set time limit. You can stay as long as you are homeless and following shelter rules. However, the shelter system is designed to be temporary. Your case manager will work with you to find permanent housing. If you are not actively working toward housing or are breaking rules repeatedly, DHS may discharge you, but you can request shelter again.
What if I have a pet or service animal?
Tell DHS during intake that you have a pet. The shelter system has limited pet-friendly beds, but they exist. Service animals are allowed in all shelters. If you have a pet that is not a service animal, DHS will try to place you in a facility that accepts pets, though this may take longer than a standard placement.