You have a right to apply for shelter and have your application considered by the City. The application office, called the Adult Family Intake Center (AFIC), is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For information on where to apply for shelter or the documents you will need in order to apply, please click here.
When you apply for shelter you will meet with a worker who will ask you where you have lived in the past two years. Be sure to tell the worker where you stayed, but also all the reasons why you had to leave. Explain the details of why you left.
You will be provided with shelter that night and for approximately 10 days after. During this time, AFIC will investigate your eligibility. They will visit and call places you have stayed and people you have lived with to see if there are any housing options available to you. You may also be given appointments to return to AFIC during this time.
At the end of the 10 days DHS will make a decision, if you are eligible or ineligible for shelter. If you are not found eligible, you have the right to reapply any time with no waiting period. However, the City can deny shelter to families when they believe another housing option is available. If you need assistance with your application for shelter, come into the Crisis Intervention Program.
