By August 2024, over 210,000 migrants have arrived in New York City seeking asylum since the spring of 2022. For many of them, securing shelter is the first and most crucial step toward starting a new life. Under New York City’s “right to shelter” law, the city is obligated to provide shelter to anyone in need, including asylum seekers.
However, those classified as “New Arrivals” follow a different process within the shelter system compared to immigrants who have been in the U.S. for a longer time. Additionally, Mayor Eric Adams recently implemented a settlement that significantly reduces the time “New Arrivals” are allowed to stay in shelters. This guide will outline the shelter system options and the time limits available for “New Arrivals.”
Definition of “New Arrival”
Any person who has entered the United States after March 15, 2022, is considered a “New Arrival,” and is subject to different shelter system pathways than others who have been in the country for a longer period of time.
The Arrival Center
Instead of going directly to the city’s Homeless Intake Centers, new arrivals should visit the Arrival Center located at the Roosevelt Hotel (45 E. 45th Street, New York, NY 10017) near Grand Central Station. The center operates 24/7, offering services like assistance with health insurance, medical and mental health care, and help enrolling children in school.
Staff at the Arrival Center will ask whether new arrivals intend to stay in New York City or move to another state. For individuals who decide to stay, they will be assigned to one of four shelter options within the five boroughs.
Shelter Options
- HERRC (Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center)
HERRCs are operated by New York City Health + Hospitals, the Department of Emergency Management, and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. These centers provide shelter, meals, medical care, showers, laundry, and case management.
- Who is served: Single adults, adult families, and families with children.
- Type of housing: Shared sleeping areas for adults and families without children, while families with kids may get private rooms or cubicles.
- Respite Centers
Run by the Department of Emergency Management, these are temporary shelters for single adults and adult families. Respite Centers provide basic services like meals and a place to sleep. However, there are fewer amenities compared to HERRCs and showers may be located off-site.
- Who is served: Single adults and adult families (no minors).
- Type of housing: Temporary sleeping arrangements, often in repurposed office buildings, churches, or schools.
- DHS shelter
The largest shelter system in NYC, these shelters are managed by the Department of Homeless Services. They offer different placements for single adults, adult families, and families with children.
- Who is served: All groups, but families with children and pregnant people receive priority.
- Type of housing: Congregate facilities for single adults, while families with children are often placed in hotels for more privacy.
New arrivals can only access DHS shelter services via a referral from the Arrival Center at the Roosevelt Hotel.
- Faith-based shelter
Launched in June 2023, this program partners with New York Disaster Interfaith Services. These shelters are housed in places of worship and have fewer beds (usually fewer than 19), catering to single adult men.
- Who is served: Single adult men.
- Type of housing: Shelter is only available at night, and guests must leave during the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I prove I am eligible for shelter?
At the Arrival Center, staff will ask if you have family or friends in the U.S. you can stay with. They may contact these individuals to confirm. You’ll also be asked if you can pay for your own housing. It’s important to be truthful, as not cooperating can result in being denied shelter.
- How long can I stay in the shelter?
If you are a single adult, you have the right to stay in a shelter for 30 days after being placed there by the city for the first time. For young single adults under the age of 23, the initial shelter placement lasts at least 60 days.
Families with children can reapply for shelter placement after 60 days.Pregnant women in their third trimester, along with families with newborns, may qualify for an extension, allowing them to stay until the baby is six months old.
- Can I choose which shelter the City places me in?
No, shelter placements are based on availability. If you decline the assigned placement, the city will consider it a rejection of shelter, meaning you must find your own housing outside the city’s shelter system. However, if the assigned shelter is unsafe or inaccessible due to a disability, they must find you another option.
- What do I do if I am found ineligible for shelter?
If the city deems you ineligible, they will provide a written notice in your preferred language. You may be denied shelter if they believe you have another place to stay, can afford housing, or didn’t cooperate with the process. If you disagree with the decision, you can request a review, especially if the alternative housing they identified is unsafe, unavailable, or doesn’t accommodate a disability.
Homeless Drop-In Centers
While drop-in centers do not provide overnight shelter beds, they serve as a crucial 24/7 resource, open every day of the year, including holidays. These centers offer immediate, essential services for those experiencing homelessness, such as:
- Hot meals and clothing
- Access to showers and laundry facilities
- Counseling and comprehensive case management services
- Referrals to healthcare, including both medical and mental health services
- Assistance with job searches, and help applying for benefits and social services
Below are the drop-in center locations across the five boroughs of New York City:
Bronx
The Living Room
800 Barretto St. (at Lafayette Avenue)
By Subway: 6 train to Hunts Point Avenue
Brooklyn
Gathering Place
2402 Atlantic Ave. (between Sackman Street and Jardine Place)
By Subway: A train to Broadway Junction
Manhattan
Mainchance
120 East 32nd St. (between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue)
By Subway: 6 train to 33rd Street
Olivieri Center for Homeless
257 West 30th St. (between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue)
By Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, or 3 train to 34th Street-Penn Station
Queens
Breaking Ground
100-32 Atlantic Ave. (at 102nd Street)
Staten Island
Project Hospitality
150 Richmond Terrace (between Wall Street and Schuyler Street)
These centers provide immediate care and ongoing support, helping individuals navigate the challenges of homelessness with dignity and access to vital resources.
