Due to the public health crisis posed by COVID-19, Crisis Intervention walk-in services are temporarily closed.
In order to stay healthy and safe, we suggest staying indoors in a shelter, traveling as little as possible, and keeping a safe distance between yourself and others.
If you have a question about accessing shelter or other services, including if you have been denied access to shelter, please call 1-888-358-2384, the Crisis Intervention emergency hotline, and leave a detailed message, including your phone number. Advocates are available Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. Messages received on weekends or after hours will be returned the next business day. Please note that the Crisis Intervention Program is based in NYC and only able to respond to questions regarding NYC services.
You have a right to shelter until, working with your case manager, you are able to locate permanent, affordable housing. However, as described above, DHS can move to terminate your shelter stay if they believe you have broken a shelter rule.
Even if you did not break a shelter rule, it is often the case that shelter residents are given mis-information about how long they can stay in shelter. There are no limits on how long you can stay in shelter, as long as you are following the shelters rules. If you are given a move out date and do not have permanent housing identified, come into the Crisis Intervention Program to speak with an advocate.
The shelter CANNOT force you to leave without either telling you, in writing, that you have broken a shelter rule and provided a document called a Notice of Intent to Sanction, or helping you to find permanent housing.
