NYC Department of Homeless Services

NYC Department of Homeless Services DHS works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers to transition from shelter into permanent housing.

As an agency comprised of 2,000 employees, with an annual operating budget of approximately $1 billion, DHS is one of the largest organizations of its kind committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City. As it engages in this mission, DHS employs a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as qui

ckly as possible. Collaborating with other public agencies and nonprofit partners, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers in transitioning from shelter into permanent housing. Furthermore, DHS remains committed to meeting its legal mandate to provide temporary emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness in a safe and respectful environment. DHS requires shelter clients to gain employment, connect to work supports and other public benefits, save their income, and search for housing, to better prepare for independent living. Critical Objectives

Employment-focused programs and prevention services are the cornerstones of our work at DHS. Through this approach, we focus on the following critical objectives:

To increase the number of households prevented from becoming homeless
To reduce the number of individuals living on city streets
To ensure the availability of temporary, emergency shelter for individuals and families with no other housing options available to them
To increase client engagement and responsibility in moving to permanent housing
To maintain shelter safety and sanitation
To reduce clients' length of stay in shelter
To ensure that those who exit shelter remain stably housed in the community

08/04/2026

For the last 5 years, the DSS Marketplace has hosted Matchmaker events which provide local vendors and non-profit human service providers with information and space to explore partnership opportunities. So far, we’ve brought over 350 businesses together with dozens of nonprofits for over 1500 one-on-one connections. More than 1 out of 6 businesses go on to win at least one contract or subcontract.

If you’re a locally certified business, or think you might qualify for certification, please email us at [email protected] or visit our Marketplace Resource page located here https://on.nyc.gov/4l2un5N. We’d be happy to connect you with information about resources, upcoming events, and opportunities to contract with us and our partners. If you’re a private business, non-profit, or other institution looking for local talent, email us at [email protected].

Health and housing go hand in hand – when housing is unstable, health often suffers. Now families at PATH Family Intake ...
08/03/2026

Health and housing go hand in hand – when housing is unstable, health often suffers. Now families at PATH Family Intake Center can get help with both by meeting with public health educators while they wait for a shelter assignment. Educators can help them enroll in health insurance or health care coverage, connect with primary care, prenatal care, and mental health services, and access information and resources to support their family's health.

This new initiative helps empower families as they navigate the health care and social service system, with guidance on questions to ask their shelter care team and clear next steps to accessing care. By connecting families to services early, the program helps them take an active role in managing their health and building a strong foundation for long-term well-being.

Congratulations to NYC Department of Homeless Services First Deputy Commissioner Christine Fellini on being recognized i...
08/03/2026

Congratulations to NYC Department of Homeless Services First Deputy Commissioner Christine Fellini on being recognized in City & State’s third annual Above & Beyond: Social Services.

The recognition highlights leaders making a meaningful impact across the social services sector. As first deputy commissioner, Fellini leads strategy, budgeting and program development for the agency, helping advance its mission of providing temporary shelter and street outreach services to New Yorkers in need.

Thank you to City and State NY for this recognition.

Join us for the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island Public Hearing on **September 9th,...
08/03/2026

Join us for the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island Public Hearing on **September 9th, 9:30 am to 11:30 am**!

Translation services available.

Sign up to join online or go in person.

ATTENTION: Starting August 1, 2026, the new locations for the Single Men’s and Adult Families’ intake centers are: MEN’S...
08/02/2026

ATTENTION: Starting August 1, 2026, the new locations for the Single Men’s and Adult Families’ intake centers are:
MEN’S SINGLE ADULT INTAKE at 8 East 3rd Street (between Bowery and Second Avenue) in Manhattan
ADULT FAMILIES’ INTAKE at 333 Bowery (between East 2nd and East 3rd Streets) in Manhattan

American Sign Language interpreters are available for all deaf and hard-of-hearing New Yorkers in shelter, but sometimes...
07/31/2026

American Sign Language interpreters are available for all deaf and hard-of-hearing New Yorkers in shelter, but sometimes you can’t wait for an interpreter – that’s where the CommuniCard comes in. Printed with nearly 60 images for basic needs, and developed in partnership with New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities with extensive input from the deaf community, the CommuniCard is perfect for conveying simple requests or emergencies, and as NYC DSS Commissioner Erin notes: “The tool’s universal design and versatility allows its use across various agencies and is now publicly available for anyone to use,”
Read more about the CommuniCard and DSS’ ongoing efforts to serve New Yorkers in Gothamist
https://on.nyc.gov/4pVUsr6

These kids got game! Residents at a Staten Island family shelter operated by Project Hospitality and NYC Department of H...
07/31/2026

These kids got game! Residents at a Staten Island family shelter operated by Project Hospitality and NYC Department of Homeless Services have a newly-refurbished basketball court and playground with the help of a $200,000 investment from Garden of Dreams DHS Administrator Reesa Henderson joined former NBA All Star for the New York Knicks John Starks John Starks and Project Hospitality CEO Rev. Dr. Darlene Williams to cut the ribbon on the new facility. Families enjoyed a BBQ, DJ, face painting, balloon animals, double-dutch jump-roping, and, of course, some pickup basketball.

07/31/2026

Presenting the Communicard – an easy way for shelter residents who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate basic or emergency needs without waiting for an ASL interpreter. The Communicard was developed using interviews and focus groups with people who are deaf, and extensive input from the deaf community, in order to make it the most effective tool for their needs. As always, ASL interpreters are available to assist clients as needed. New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

07/30/2026

Last month, NYC DSS celebrated our incredible Future Leaders, students who graduated from high school while living in shelter. These bright young New Yorkers are heading to college, including some of the country’s most competitive schools!

Twelve outstanding graduates also received scholarships from the Thompson Family Benevolent Fund.

Proud of their resilience and achievements!

DSS/NYC Department of Homeless Services, in partnership with United Way of New York City and Urban Resource Institute, c...
07/29/2026

DSS/NYC Department of Homeless Services, in partnership with United Way of New York City and Urban Resource Institute, celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new library at Helping Hands Family Residence in the Bronx. The event brought together DSS/DHS, UWNYC, URI staff, and residents to celebrate the opening of a welcoming new library space featuring books, bookshelves, seating, signage, technology, and other resources that promote literacy and learning for families with children. The library is part of the ongoing Libraries in Shelter initiative, a collaboration between DSS/DHS and UWNYC that continues to expand access to educational resources and create enriching spaces where children and families can read, learn, and thrive.

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(212) 361-8000

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