Westchester County Department of Social Services

Emergency Overnight Drop-In Shelter

Westchester County operates a 43-bed facility between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Singles’ Homeless Assessment Center

Designed to assess newly homeless individuals to identify any health, mental health or substance abuse issues which may have contributed to homelessness. The Singles' Homeless Assessment Center recommends an appropriate level of placement and treatment.

Family Shelters

There are four homeless family shelters in Westchester County which contain approximately 260 units.

Singles’ Emergency and Transitional Residences

There are approximately 430 units in single adult shelters and transitional residences in Westchester.

Emergency Apartments

Under the Emergency Housing Apartment Program, there are over 170 emergency apartments scattered throughout Westchester County.

Domestic Violence Shelters

There are three shelters for women who are victims of domestic violence, having a total of 49 beds. 

Homeless Student Program

Through a collaborative effort among the Department of Social Services, Southern Westchester BOCES, Urban League, local school districts and the homeless shelters, this program tracks school enrollment and attendance. It also provides educational case management and technical assistance to homeless facility staff and provides advocacy and educational and informational support to parents of homeless school children. A school transportation program is available for the children of homeless families exercising the option to attend a school district other than the district of the homeless placement.

Adult Foster Home Program

This program provides a foster home living arrangement for adults who are ambulatory, but require some supervision. These are individuals who would otherwise be placed in nursing homes, institutions or group homes.

Domestic Violence Residential and Non-Residential Programs

There are three domestic violence shelters for women in Westchester County established to provide a safe haven for women who are victims of domestic violence. There is a 24-hour hot line for victims of domestic violence who want to speak to a domestic violence counselor for information and referral. For English, call (800) 942-6906. For Spanish, call (800) 942-6908.

Rental Assistance Program (RAP)

RAP is an initiative by DSS to help homeless families and singles transition from public assistance and to prevent non-public assistance families and singles from needing assistance by subsidizing their rent. Eligible families and singles contribute no more than 35% of  income towards rent. They are put on a Section 8 waiting list and are expected to transition to Section 8 housing within approximately one year.

Any working family with income between 125% and 200% of the Federal poverty guidelines facing imminent risk of eviction due to non-payment of rent or homeless working families who would no longer need public assistance if they were permanently housed may be eligible. 

Non-public assistance families and singles facing eviction for non-payment should go to their nearest DSS district office and apply for Emergency Assistance. District office staff will determine if a referral to RAP is appropriate.  Homeless families and singles who currently receive assistance are referred by their case manager.