Emergency Shelter
Accessing Emergency Shelter
If you are fleeing domestic violence and need emergency shelter, click here.
To get into emergency shelter, in most cases you have to go through the Department of Social Services. Most non-DSS options are only available in the winter months and are located in Suffolk County. Check out those resources here.
If you are currently experiencing homelessness, check out additional resources such as mobile food services, resource centers, and drop-in centers here.
Suffolk county DSS and Disability Accomodations
Read the public notice here:
A recent class action suit against the Suffolk County Department of Social Services (SC DSS) requires the DSS office to offer reasonable accommodation to all benefit applicants with a disability at every stage of the application process.
dss Non-discrimination policies
DSS Eligibility
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To apply for shelter, you must go to a DSS site during daytime hours (doors close at 3pm). To access shelter at night, apply through the emergency hotline.
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You must have nowhere else to go. If you can stay with family or friends, or if you have the finances to pay for a motel or other interim housing, you may not be eligible.
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You must have a social security number***. Undocumented single adults are not eligible for year-round shelter.
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You must provide personal information. This includes your full name, date of birth, social security number, information on all household members, and more.
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You must report all your income and assets.
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You must not be under the influence or alcohol or drugs to be admitted to shelter.
***CODE BLUE***
During the winter months on days where the temperature is below freezing all people living outside with nowhere else to go must be placed in shelter. This includes those not typically eligible for shelter, such as undocumented adults.
Nassau warming Centers
During days with extreme cold weather, Nassau County may open up warming centers were people can go during the day to get inside. Use the button above to go to the Nassau County website to see what sites are open and their hours.
Suffolk County DSS
Main line, between 8am-4pm:
Emergency Hotline, after 4:30pm:
Office Locations
Coram Center
80 Middle Country Rd, Coram
MacArthur Center
3455 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma
Riverhead Center
893 E. Main St, Riverhead
Smithtown Center
200 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge
South West Center
2 South 2nd St, Deer Park
What to expect
when visiting DSS
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Placements in shelter through DSS take time, usually several hours.
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If you are trying to access shelters during the day, go as early as possible. The doors close at 3pm.
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If calling the emergency hotline, expect to have to make multiple calls to check back in about your placement.
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If you are currently living unsheltered, our street outreach team can help you with this process. They can be reached at 631-464-4314 x118.
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If approved for shelter, placements are based on where there are available beds, which may be in a different town or area than where you are now.
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Household residing in shelter pay a portion of their income for their shelter stay. This can be more than 50% of household income.
Non-DSS Shelter
All households consisting of adults with children must go through DSS, unless they are actively fleeing domestic violence or accessing temporary winter shelter.
Warmbed hotline is open as of 12/1!
Shelter available under Code Blue on days under 32° F
Includes undocumented immigrants and those who are sanctioned
1-866-WARMBED (927-6233)
Winter shelter program from November- March. Meeting spot at Riverhead LIRR. Only for single adults. Covers Riverhead and East End Suffolk County. Rotating church locations.
Call: 631-727-6831
Veteran shelter and transitional housing programs are available through the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Only for VA-eligible Veterans.
National helpline:
Winter shelter program from November- March coordinated with Maureen's Haven. Meeting spot at Riverhead LIRR.
Shelter for unaccompanied youth in Suffolk County, operates year-round. House within Town of Babylon area.
24/7 hotline: 516-659-0923
Accepts women 18 years and older who are pregnant and homeless. Program runs the duration of their pregnancy and up to the baby’s first birthday.
1930 Veterans Hwy. Suite 4
Islandia, NY 11749
Winter shelter program from November- March only for single adults. Covers Huntington. Breathalyzer test required before entry.
Shelter for unaccompanied youth in Nassau County, operates year-round. House located in Garden City area.
Call (516) 221-1310 or Text (516) 427-9354
KLivingston@FCALI.org