How to enter New York's shelter system

To enter a New York City shelter, you contact the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Intake Center, which operates 24 hours a day. The main intake location is at 33 Beaver Street in Lower Manhattan, but DHS also runs intake at several other sites across the boroughs. You do not need an appointment — you can walk in at any time.

When you arrive, staff will assess your situation and place you in an appropriate shelter based on your needs. If you are a single adult, you typically go to a shelter for single adults. If you have children, you go to a family shelter. If you are over 60, pregnant, or have a serious medical condition, you may be placed in a specialized facility. The intake process itself usually takes a few hours.

You can also call 311 to report that you need shelter, and they will direct you to the nearest intake site or arrange transportation if you cannot get there yourself. If you are on the street and in crisis, you can contact the Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) teams, which patrol neighborhoods and can connect you to shelter directly.

Key Takeaways

  • DHS Intake at 33 Beaver Street is open 24 hours and does not require an appointment — you can walk in whenever you need shelter.
  • Placement depends on your situation: single adults, families with children, seniors, and people with medical needs go to different shelter types.
  • Calling 311 is another way to report you need shelter, and they can tell you the nearest intake site or arrange transportation.
  • The intake process takes a few hours and includes an assessment of your needs and circumstances.
  • Once placed, you receive a bed, meals, and access to case management services that help you work toward permanent housing.

What happens after you are placed in a shelter

After intake, you are assigned a bed in a shelter and given a case manager. Your case manager's job is to help you move toward permanent housing — this is the goal of the system, not to keep you in shelter long-term. Within a few days, you and your case manager will create a plan that identifies barriers to housing (such as lack of income, criminal record, or medical needs) and steps to address them.

You will have access to meals, a safe place to sleep, and basic services like showers and laundry. Many shelters also offer mental health counseling, substance use treatment, job training, and help with benefits paperwork. The specific services vary by shelter, but case managers can connect you to what you need.

Shelters have rules about curfew, conduct, and what you can bring. Rules differ between facilities, but typically you must be in your bed by a certain time (often 9 or 10 p.m.) and cannot use drugs or alcohol on the premises. Violations can result in a warning, loss of privileges, or removal from the shelter.

How long you can stay in a shelter

New York law does not set a time limit on how long you can stay in a shelter. However, the system is designed to move people into permanent housing as quickly as possible. Most people stay for weeks or months, not years, though the actual length depends on your situation and how quickly housing becomes available.

Your case manager will work with you on housing options throughout your stay. These may include supportive housing (permanent housing with ongoing services), market-rate apartments with rental information, or housing through specialized programs for people with disabilities or chronic homelessness. The process of finding and securing housing can take time, especially if you have barriers like a criminal record or poor credit.

If you are not making progress toward housing or are not following shelter rules, your case manager and shelter staff may discuss next steps with you. This does not automatically mean removal, but it means you and your team need to reassess your plan.

Shelter locations and types across New York City

DHS operates shelters throughout all five boroughs. Single-adult shelters are typically larger facilities that house dozens or hundreds of people. Family shelters are smaller and designed to keep families together. There are also specialized shelters for people over 60, pregnant women, people with serious mental illness, and people with HIV/AIDS.

You do not get to choose which shelter you go to — placement is based on availability and your needs. However, if you have a specific medical condition or safety concern, tell intake staff, and they will try to place you appropriately. If you are placed somewhere that does not work for you, you can discuss it with your case manager, though a transfer is not may provide.

In addition to city-run shelters, DHS contracts with nonprofit organizations to operate many facilities. These contracted shelters follow the same rules and provide the same core services, but may have different staff and slightly different programs.

Getting documents and benefits while in shelter

One of the first things your case manager will help you with is getting identification and benefits paperwork. If you do not have a photo ID, DHS can help you get one. If you are may be able to access for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or other benefits, your case manager can connect you to someone who helps with applications.

Having a shelter address is a legal address, so you can use it for mail, benefits, and housing applications. This is important because many housing programs and employers require a current address. Your case manager can also help you open a bank account and manage money, which strengthens your ability to move into housing.

If you have a criminal record or other barriers, your case manager can connect you to legal services. Some nonprofits offer free help with expungement, sealing records, or addressing other legal issues that block housing.

Leaving shelter and moving to permanent housing

When permanent housing becomes available, you and your case manager will review the offer. This might be a supportive housing apartment (where you pay rent and receive ongoing services), a market-rate apartment with a rental subsidy, or housing through a specialized program. You have the right to refuse an offer if it does not work for you, though refusing multiple offers may affect your priority for future placements.

The move-in process includes signing a lease, paying a security deposit (which DHS may help cover), and arranging utilities. Your case manager will help with all of this. Once you move in, you may still have access to case management or other services depending on the type of housing.

If you leave shelter without a permanent housing plan in place, you lose your bed and your case manager. Returning to shelter means going through intake again. For this reason, case managers strongly encourage you to stay engaged in the process even if progress feels slow.

What to bring and what not to bring to shelter

Bring important documents if you have them: ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, medical records, and any paperwork related to benefits or housing. Bring medications in their original bottles and a list of any medical conditions or allergies. Bring a small amount of personal items — clothing, toiletries, and items of sentimental value — but shelters have limited storage space.

Do not bring weapons, drugs, alcohol, or large amounts of cash. Do not bring pets (with rare exceptions for service animals). Do not bring items that could be used to harm yourself or others. Shelters will confiscate prohibited items, and repeated violations can result in removal.

If you have belongings you cannot carry, ask your case manager about storage options. Some shelters and nonprofits offer find storage for people in transition, though availability is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay in a shelter with my family?

Yes. If you have children under 21, you go to a family shelter where your family stays together. If you have adult children or other family members, they may be able to stay with you depending on the shelter's rules and space. Ask at intake about family placement options.

What if I have a pet?

Most shelters do not allow pets, with the exception of service animals. Some nonprofits run pet-friendly shelters or foster programs where your pet can stay temporarily while you are in shelter. Ask your case manager about these options — they exist but are limited.

Can I leave the shelter during the day?

Yes. Most shelters allow you to leave during the day and return by curfew. This is important because you need to be able to go to work, attend appointments, or look for housing. Tell your case manager your schedule so they know when to expect you back.

What if I disagree with my case manager or shelter staff?

You can ask to speak with a supervisor or the shelter director. DHS also has an ombudsman office that handles complaints about shelter conditions or treatment. Your case manager can give you contact information, or you can call 311 to report a concern.

Do I have to participate in programs or treatment to stay in shelter?

You must follow shelter rules, but participation in job training, mental health services, or substance use treatment is typically voluntary. However, your case manager will discuss these services with you as part of your housing plan, and engaging with them usually speeds up your path to permanent housing.