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Prevention

Prevention

Woman walking down the stairs of a NYC subway station, with a Homebase advertisement above

Every night, the City of New York provides temporary emergency shelter to families and individuals with no other housing options available to them. As valuable as this resource can be, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) firmly believes that the shelter system should never be considered a home. Building on this belief, DHS has placed homelessness prevention efforts at the forefront of agency goals, aiming to keep New Yorkers stably housed through an array of neighborhood-based services.

Established in 2004, DHS' Homebase program remains at the center of prevention efforts, as it assists families and individuals to overcome immediate housing issues that could result in becoming homeless, while also helping them develop plans for long-term stability.

Additionally, DHS recognizes that there are a variety of reasons why families and individuals may become homeless, including instances of domestic violence, eviction, or unsafe building conditions. If you or someone you know is experiencing a housing crisis, you can learn more about Homebase here or visit 311 Online to locate your nearest office. Additionally, please refer to the following resources that may be able to assist you, should you be facing any of the issues mentioned above. No matter what the reason for being at risk of homelessness, Homebase works with households to help them remain in their homes and in their communities.