Philadelphia Homeless Prevention and Shelter Intake: Where to Go and What to Bring
In Philadelphia, the same city office handles both keeping you in your home and finding you a bed if you've already lost it. That's the Office of Homeless Services, through its Prevention, Diversion and Intake (PDI) unit. Which door you use depends on where you are right now: behind on rent, out of your home today, or under 25 or fleeing abuse. This guide covers all three, year-round.
AT A GLANCE
|
First, which situation are you in?
Your situation | Where to start | What they can do |
|---|---|---|
Still housed, but behind on rent or facing eviction | Prevention InfoLine (215) 686-7177, or an intake center | Help with overdue rent, move-in costs and utilities when funding allows, plus mediation and problem-solving |
You've already lost your housing, or you'll be out tonight | A daytime intake center, or an after-hours center | A shelter or diversion assessment and, if needed, a placement |
You're living outside | Homeless Street Outreach Hotline (215) 232-1984 | The City’s outreach line for people living outdoors |
You're 14 to 24 | A youth access point | Showers, food, clothes, a housing assessment and referrals |
You're not safe at home | Women Against Abuse (866) 723-3014 | 24-hour help for domestic violence survivors |
According to the City, anyone can ask for homeless help in Philadelphia, "regardless of origin, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, family composition, source of income, or age." Interpreters are available. OHS also says help "is based on available funding," so money for rent isn't guaranteed, even if you qualify.
If you're trying to keep your home
Start with the PDI unit
The OHS page says you can apply for help with overdue rent or a security deposit for a new place in two ways. Either call the Homelessness Prevention InfoLine at (215) 686-7177 and follow the prompts, or go to a City-funded intake center. If you still can't get through, email the PDI unit at OHSPrevention@phila.gov.
Before you call, get these together, because OHS lists them as required:
Birth certificates for everyone in the household.
Social Security cards for everyone in the household.
Proof of income for everyone in the household, dated within the last 30 days.
Copies are fine. You don't need originals for the prevention application.
If there's an eviction case
The City sends tenants facing eviction to the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, (267) 443-2500, for free legal help and direct negotiation with landlords. Our guides to Philadelphia's eviction diversion program and free civil legal aid go into more detail.
Neighborhood agencies that can help with rent
OHS keeps a list of agencies that help tenants at risk of eviction. A few have specific coverage areas worth knowing:
Agency | What the City says it offers | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) | Help with back rent so families can stay in their homes | (215) 972-5170; veterans (215) 814-6888 |
Catholic Social Services | Limited financial help with rent | (267) 331-2490 |
Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry | Utility, rent and mortgage help in ZIP codes 19118, 19119, 19126, 19138, 19144 and 19150 | (215) 843-2340 |
ACHIEVEability | Rental help for seniors and people with disabilities in Haddington and Cobbs Creek | (215) 748-8800 |
Nationalities Service Center | Rental assistance | (215) 893-8400 |
HACE | Utility subsidies and rental assistance | (215) 426-8025 |
HopePHL (formerly People's Emergency Center) | Financial and support services | (267) 720-HOPE |
Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center | Housing, benefits and meals for veterans | (215) 923-2600 |
The City's list also includes APM, Congreso, Esperanza, HELP USA, NKCDC and HIAS Pennsylvania, which serves immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Call each agency first, because each one sets its own rules.
If you need shelter today
Daytime intake centers
All three daytime centers do a shelter or diversion assessment:
Appletree Family Center, 1430 Cherry St. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone (215) 686-7150, 686-7151 or 686-7153.
Roosevelt Darby Center, 804 N. Broad St. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone (215) 685-3700.
Veterans Multi-Service Center, 213-217 N. 4th St. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone (215) 923-2600.
After-hours centers
If you are | Go to | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
A family | Red Shield Family Residence, 715 N. Broad St. | 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., plus holidays and weekends | (215) 787-2887 |
A family | ACTS After Hour Intake Site, 1300 E. Tulpehocken St. | 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays; 24 hours on holidays and weekends | (267) 297-7870 |
A single man | Mike Hinson Resource Center, 1701 W. Lehigh Ave. | 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., plus holidays and weekends | (267) 737-9099 |
A single woman | Gaudenzia's House of Passage, 111 N. 49th St. (enter on 48th St.) | 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., plus holidays and weekends | (267) 713-7778 |
The City says you can go to whichever single-adult center best fits your gender identity. During a snow emergency, the daytime centers close. The after-hours centers then stay open 24 hours until the City lifts the emergency.
"No household can be denied entrance into a shelter if they don't have proof of ID or guardianship." (City of Philadelphia, Office of Homeless Services)
What happens at intake
Screening. Everyone goes through a metal detector to get in.
Assessment. A social work services manager asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, family makeup and race.
ID. They'll ask for ID and sometimes proof of guardianship for your children. If you don't have it, they still have to let you in.
Not finished by closing? You can continue the assessment at an after-hours center or come back during business hours.
Other needs. The assessment can also connect you to medical or mental health care, drug and alcohol treatment, children and youth services, veterans' services, legal help, case management, supportive housing and an optional savings program. Case managers can also help you look for transitional or long-term housing.
If you're in a hospital or another institution, your social worker can refer you directly to intake using the City's External Agency Referral form.
If you're young or fleeing abuse
Youth access points aren't City intake centers. They're safe places where young people can get hygiene kits, showers, clothes and food, plus a housing assessment and referrals for jobs, school and counseling.
Ages 18 to 24, Eddie's House: 2321 N. Broad St. and 5901 Market St. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone (215) 921-8375 or (215) 307-3273.
Ages 14 to 24, Synergy Project at Valley Youth House: 1880 JFK Blvd., Suite 660. Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone 1-888-468-7315 or (215) 925-3180.
If you're a domestic violence survivor, call Women Against Abuse at (866) 723-3014, day or night.
Before you call
☐ Birth certificates and Social Security cards for everyone in the household (copies are OK)
☐ Proof of income for everyone, dated within the last 30 days
☐ Your lease, any eviction notice or court papers, and the amount you owe
☐ Photo ID, and guardianship papers for your children if you have them. You can't be turned away from shelter without them.
☐ A list of the places you've stayed recently and any agencies already helping you
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
|
More help in Philadelphia
Related guides
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026. Addresses, hours, phone numbers and required documents come from the Office of Homeless Services pages on phila.gov. Agency services are described the way the City's list describes them. Call ahead, because hours change and money for rent depends on available funding.
Comments