How can I find information on assistance for the homeless?
The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) (215) 686-7175 provides short-term accommodations for individuals and families to resolve an immediate housing crisis. Individuals must arrive in person. Intake and after-hours reception sites are listed below.
Daytime centers
| Center | Address | Hours | Phone |
Appletree Family Center
(shelter/diversion assessment) | 1430 Cherry St.
19102 | Mon.–Fri.,
7 am–5 pm | (215) 686-7150
(215) 686-7151
(215) 686-7153 |
Roosevelt Darby Center
(shelter/diversion assessment) | 804 N. Broad St.
19130 | Mon.–Fri.,
7 am–5 pm | (215) 685-3700 |
The Veterans Multi-Service Center
(shelter/diversion assessment) | 213-217 N. 4th St.
19106 | Tues. and Thurs.,
9 am–2 pm | (215) 923-2600 |
| Youth Emergency Services (Ages 12-17) | 1526 Fairmount Ave., 19130 | 24 hours | (215)787-0633 |
| Covenant House Crisis Center (Ages 18-21) | 31 E. Armat St., 19144 | 24 hours | (215) 951-5411 |
After-hours centers
| If you are a … | Then visit … | Address | Hours | Phone |
| Family | Red Shield Family Residence | 715 N. Broad St., 19123 | 5 pm–7 am and holidays and weekends | (215) 787-2887 |
| Single man* | Mike Hinson Resource Center | 1701 W. Lehigh Ave., 19132 | 3 pm–7 am and holidays and weekends | (267) 737-9099 |
| Single man* | Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission | 302 N. 13th St., 19107 | 5 pm–7 am and holidays and weekends | (215) 922-6400 |
| Single woman* | Gaudenzia House of Passage,
The Kirkbride Center | 111 N. 49th St., 19139
at the corner of 48th St.
and Haverford Ave.,
entrance on 48th Street | 5 pm–7 am and holidays and weekends | (215) 849-7200
(267) 713-7778 |
*You are welcome to visit the center that most closely fits your gender identity.
You Should Know:
No appointment is necessary at shelters Monday-Thursday for services. Please bring all of the following for intake to the Office of Homeless Services Emergency Assistance and Response Unit (EARU) (215) 686-7177 :
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Picture identification for all adult household members, Social Security cards, and birth certificates for all household members
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Proof of household income
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Proof of Philadelphia residency
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Letter of approval from landlord identifying monthly rent and total move-in cost for those seeking to relocate
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Current statement of the balance of rent owed from the landlord for delinquent rent or move-in costs
Further Information:
The EARU provides assistance to families and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless or facing a housing crisis. The crisis may include, but is not limited to:
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Housing that has been declared unfit for human habitation or imminently dangerous; properties collapsed due to serious structural defects as declared by Licenses and Inspections (L+I) and cease operations (must have L+I referral)
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Residences condemned by the City Health Health Department due to lead poisoning or other chemical contamination (must have Health Department referral)
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Homes that have been severely damaged or destroyed by fire or other disasters (must have a referral from American Red Cross)
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Victims of domestic violence
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Eviction (must have a court eviction notice)
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Foreclosure or seeking to relocate (must have Act 91 or Writ of Possession)
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Blight removal
Office of Homeless Services Emergency Assistance and Response Unit (215) 686-7177
1430 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
Monday - Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm.
Please call the EARU Information Line at (215) 686-7177 to determine eligibility.
It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
