At this time, there are limited resources to assist individuals in need of emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive housing, and permanent housing. There is also limited assistance for those who find themselves in danger of becoming evicted and/or homeless. In an effort to assist people as they attempt to navigate the programs that are in place to provide assistance, we offer the following suggested course of actions, depending on your current housing status.
Do you need emergency shelter?
Shelters on Long Island are contracted with Nassau and Suffolk County Departments of Social Services and cannot be accessed directly. All households must apply for and be approved for shelter placement through the Department of Social Services in order to be placed in a shelter. If you are denied through the Department of Social Services, you may reach out to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
Important Numbers
LICH Street Outreach Hotline: Hotline is not staffed and staff will return your call within 48-72 hours 631-464-4314 ext. 118
For Immediate Shelter in Nassau County, Please call Department of Social Services:
Before 4PM: 516-227-8519
After 4:30PM: 516-573-8626
If the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees), anyone on the street has immediate access
For Immediate Shelter in Suffolk County, Please call Department of Social Services
Before 4PM: 631-854-9935
After 4:30PM: 631-854-9100
If the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees), anyone on the street has immediate access
Suffolk County Department of Social Services
Persons who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless should apply for assistance at a Social Services Center:
SCDSS Service Centers
| Center | Address | Phone Numbers | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverhead Center | 605 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY 11901 | Telephone: (631) 852-3500Fax: (631)852-3505 | Community Resource List |
| Coram Center | 80 Middle Country Road Coram, New York 11727 | Telephone: (631) 854-2300Fax: (631) 854-2123 | Community Resource List |
| Smithtown Center | 200 Wireless Boulevard Hauppauge, New York 11788 | Telephone: (631) 853-8714Fax: (631) 853-8842 | Community Resource List |
| South West Center | 2 South 2nd Street Deer Park, New York 11729 | Telephone: (631) 854-6600Fax: (631) 854-6672 | Community Resource List |
| MacArthur Center | 3455 Veterans Memorial Highway Ronkonkoma, New York 11779 | Provides Child Support Enforcement and Family and Children Services only. |
After 4:30 PM, Weekends & Holidays call Emergency Services: (631) 854-9100
Nassau County Department of Social Services
Nassau County Department of Social Services
60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553-3656
On-line Directions
General Information Phone Number:
516-227-8519
After-Hours Services Number:
516-573-8626
Hours: Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
Shelter placements and assistance with emergency housing needs are provided at the Department of Social Services (DSS) under the auspices of the Nassau County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD).
Eligible individuals and families can, on an emergency, temporary basis be assisted with shelter and other items of need in order to meet their emergency. The goal is to provide families and individuals with the tools they need to secure a permanent, stable housing, and move as quickly as possible to a stable self-sufficient role in the community.
Once a Family or individual is deemed eligible for benefits through the Temporary Assistance New Applications Unit at Department of Social Services, they will be then referred, same day, to the office of housing and community Development at 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard for emergency housing placement
Housing Programs & Requirements
If a family or individual is threatened with eviction or foreclosure, assistance may be available to save the current housing. These emergency programs are:
These programs were designed to meet one-time non-recurrent emergency situations.
These benefits do have specific eligibility requirements, and each case receives the attention of a worker with specialized knowledge in this area. Applications for eligibility should be made at Department of Social Services as soon as the potential problem becomes known.
Related Link
New York State (OTDA) Homeless Services
Long Island Coalition for the Homeless
IF YOU SEE SOMEONE, SAVE SOMEONE – Call 631-464-4314 ext. 118 to connect with our Street Outreach Team
Are You or Someone You Know Experiencing Homelessness in Nassau or Suffolk County?
LICH has a resource landing page for people that are worried about becoming homeless or may need to enter shelter that can be more useful: https://www.lihomeless.org/at-risk-of-homelessness
LICH has a resource landing page for people that are fleeing domestic violence that can be more useful to people in this situation: https://www.lihomeless.org/services-2
LICH has a resource landing page for people that are living unsheltered: https://www.lihomeless.org/living-on-the-street
LICH can also be reached through the homeless network website here: https://www.lihomeless.org/