How to reach a Bronx shelter when you need one tonight

If you need shelter in the Bronx right now, call 311 and tell them you are homeless or about to lose your housing. The city's Department of Homeless Services (DHS) runs the intake system and will direct you to a bed. If it is after hours or you cannot reach 311, go directly to a Prevention information and Care Treatment (PACT) center or a drop-in center that accepts walk-ins — these stay open late and do not require a phone call first.

The Bronx has multiple entry points. The main DHS intake center for the Bronx is located at 1770 Grand Concourse, but you do not have to go there if another shelter or drop-in center is closer. When you arrive at any city shelter or intake site, staff will assess your situation, check whether you have a place to sleep that night, and place you in a bed if one is available. Placement can happen the same day, though wait times vary by time of day and season.

If you are in crisis and cannot wait, the Bronx has emergency drop-in centers that do not require advance notice. These centers provide a bed for the night and a meal, and staff can help you figure out next steps in the morning. Some centers focus on specific populations — families with children, single men, single women, or people over 60 — so knowing which center serves your situation speeds up placement.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 311 to reach DHS intake, or walk into any city shelter or PACT center without calling ahead.
  • The Bronx has drop-in centers that accept people without appointments and provide a bed and meal the same night.
  • Shelters are organized by population served — families, single adults by gender, seniors — so you will be directed to the right one for your situation.
  • Bring any ID you have, proof of income or benefits if you have it, and medical information if you take medications.
  • Once placed, you can stay while DHS works with you on permanent housing, though the length of stay varies.

Bronx shelter locations and what each one serves

The Bronx has roughly 50 shelter sites run by DHS and contracted nonprofit organizations. They are spread across the borough and serve different populations. Family shelters accept mothers, fathers, and children under 21. Single-adult shelters are divided by gender. Senior shelters serve people 60 and older. Some shelters also serve people with specific needs — veterans, people with HIV/AIDS, people in recovery from substance use, or people with serious mental illness.

Major shelter operators in the Bronx include the Salvation Army, Acacia Network, Bronx House, and several smaller nonprofits contracted by DHS. Each organization runs its own intake and rules, but all follow the same basic city standards: you get a bed, a meal, and access to case management. The specific services — counseling, job training, medical care — vary by site.

You do not need to know the exact shelter name or address before you call 311. DHS will tell you which shelter has a bed available in your area and what to expect when you arrive. If you have a preference — a particular neighborhood, a shelter known for good services, or one that serves your population — you can ask, but availability determines placement.

What happens when you arrive at a shelter

When you check in, staff will ask for your name, date of birth, and any ID you have. They will ask about your housing situation, income, family members, and medical needs. This is called an intake interview. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. Be honest about your situation — staff are not there to judge you, and the information helps them connect you to the right services.

After intake, you will be assigned a bed, usually in a dormitory-style room with other residents. You will get a meal that night and breakfast the next morning. Most shelters provide a locker or storage space for your belongings. Some have showers, laundry facilities, and phones you can use. Rules are posted — usually no drugs or alcohol, no weapons, quiet hours at night, and a checkout time in the morning.

Within a few days, you will meet with a case manager. This person will work with you on a plan to find permanent housing. They can help you look for apartments, connect you to rental information programs, explore for benefits, or address barriers like a criminal record or bad rental history. The goal is to move you out of shelter into stable housing, though this can take weeks or months depending on your situation and the housing market.

Documents to bring and what to do if you have none

Bring any ID you have — a driver's license, passport, state ID, or even an expired ID. If you have a Social Security card, bring it. If you receive benefits — SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, unemployment — bring proof: a benefits card, a letter from the agency, or a recent statement. If you take medications, bring the bottles or a list of what you take and the doses.

If you have none of these things, you can still enter shelter. DHS does not turn people away for lack of documents. However, having ID makes it easier to access services later — housing programs, jobs, benefits — so your case manager will help you get a state ID or other documents while you are in shelter. This process takes time but is free.

If you have children with you, bring their birth certificates or any school records if you have them. If you are fleeing domestic violence, tell staff when you arrive — they can place you in a confidential location and connect you to specialized services.

Shelter rules and length of stay

City shelters operate under a set of rules designed to keep the environment safe and orderly. You cannot bring weapons, drugs, or alcohol into shelter. You cannot be intoxicated or high while in the shelter. Residents must follow checkout and check-in times — usually checkout by 8 or 9 a.m. and check-in by 5 or 6 p.m. Quiet hours are typically 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Violations can result in a warning, loss of privileges, or discharge from the shelter.

How long you can stay depends on your situation. Families with children can stay for months or longer while DHS helps them find an apartment. Single adults typically stay 30 to 90 days, though this varies. The goal is always to move you into permanent housing, not to keep you in shelter. Your case manager will work on this from day one.

If you are discharged from shelter for rule violations, you can reapply by calling 311 again. DHS will assess whether you can return to the same shelter or will be placed elsewhere. Repeated discharges can make it harder to get back in, so following the rules matters.

Getting help beyond shelter — housing and benefits

While you are in shelter, your case manager can connect you to rental information programs, supportive housing, and benefits you may be may have access to to. Rental information can help you pay a deposit and first month's rent on an apartment. Supportive housing is permanent housing with ongoing case management and services — it is designed for people with chronic homelessness or serious barriers to housing.

You may also be may have access to to benefits: SNAP (food information), Medicaid (health insurance), SSI or SSDI (disability benefits), or unemployment insurance. Your case manager can help you explore. If you are working or looking for work, some shelters have job training or employment services on-site.

The Bronx also has nonprofits that specialize in housing — organizations like Acacia Network, Bronx House, and others — that work with DHS to move people from shelter into permanent homes. These organizations know the local housing market and landlords willing to rent to people with a shelter history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a pet or service animal?

Service animals are allowed in all city shelters. Pets are more complicated — some shelters allow them, others do not. Tell DHS when you call 311 that you have a pet. They will direct you to a shelter that accepts animals or help you find temporary pet care while you are in shelter. Do not leave a pet outside — staff can help you solve this.

Can I stay in shelter if I have a job?

Yes. Many shelter residents work. You will need to follow checkout and check-in times, but having income does not disqualify you. Your case manager can help you save money toward a deposit and first month's rent while you work.

What if I am undocumented or have a criminal record?

DHS does not ask about immigration status and does not report it. You can enter shelter regardless. A criminal record does not disqualify you from shelter, though it may affect your options for permanent housing. Your case manager can help you navigate this and find landlords and programs that work with people with records.

How do I know if a shelter is safe?

All city shelters are monitored by DHS and follow safety standards. That said, conditions vary. Once you are placed, you can request a transfer to another shelter if you have safety concerns. Tell your case manager or call 311 to request a move. Transfers are not always when ready, but DHS takes safety seriously.

What if I want to leave shelter but do not have housing yet?

You can leave anytime — shelter is voluntary, not mandatory. However, leaving without a plan makes it harder to get back in. Talk to your case manager before you leave. They may be able to speed up housing placement or connect you to other resources that could help you avoid returning to the street.