Homeless Assistance

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Call 911

Call 911 if a person is:

  • On the subway tracks
  • Creating a hazard, such as blocking a sidewalk or ATM
  • Outstretched or sleeping in a subway
  • Creating a danger to themselves or others

Need something else?

​If you are homeless and need help, visit:

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) offers services to people living on the streets, in the subway, or in other public places.

What Happens Next

DHS will send a mobile outreach response team within 1 hour to encourage the person to accept services.

If you provide your contact information, DHS may contact you for more information.

You can request outreach for homeless individuals who consistently stay in the same location.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) defines chronic homelessness as someone living on the streets for 9 months out of the last 2 years.

What Happens Next

DHS will send a mobile outreach response team within 4 hours to encourage the person to accept services.

If you provide your contact information, DHS may contact you for more information.

Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement Street Action Teams (HOME-STAT) work with existing homeless outreach and prevention programs to identify, engage, and transition homeless New Yorkers to services and, ultimately, permanent housing.

HOME-STAT:

  • Conducts daily canvassing of City streets and subways
  • Responds rapidly to requests for homeless assistance made to NYC311
  • Provides a case management system to monitor those who are mentally ill with a history of violent behaviors

Learn more about street outreach.

During Code Blue or Code Red, outreach teams check on people who live on the streets and in the subway more frequently. Homeless people may also stay at any Department of Homeless Services shelter or drop-in center without going through the normal intake process.

Code Blue

When the temperature is 32 degrees or lower, including wind chill values, the City follows Code Blue procedures from 4 PM to 8 AM.

Code Red

When the temperature reaches a heat index of 90 degrees, or when an excessive heat warning is issued, the City follows Code Red procedures.

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