New York City Directs People Experiencing Homelessness to Shelter During Severe Snowstorm
As heavy snow and freezing temperatures hit New York City, the administration of Zohran Mamdani has activated emergency cold-weather measures focused on one priority: getting people off the streets and into shelter during the storm.
City officials stress that exposure during snowstorms can quickly become life-threatening, and that anyone without housing is encouraged to come indoors immediately, even if they usually avoid shelters.
Code Blue: Shelter From the Storm
New York City has issued a Code Blue, which requires the city to offer shelter to anyone experiencing homelessness when temperatures drop to dangerous levels.
What Code Blue means:
https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/get-help/know-your-rights/extreme-cold-weather-code-blue/
During Code Blue:
- No one seeking shelter should be turned away
- Shelter intake rules are relaxed
- Outreach teams transport people indoors
- Drop-in centers extend hours
NYC HOMELESS SHELTER ENTRY POINTS (START HERE)
Single Adult Men
- 30th Street Intake Center
400–430 E 30th St (1st Ave), Manhattan
Open 24/7
Single Adult Women
- Franklin Women’s Intake Center
1122 Franklin Ave, Bronx
Phone: 929-281-2330
Families With Children / Pregnant Women
- PATH
151 E 151st St, Bronx
Phone: 718-503-6400
Adult Families / Couples
- Adult Family Intake Center
400–430 E 30th St, Manhattan
MAJOR NYC SHELTER PROVIDERS (DIRECT SERVICE)
Citywide Nonprofits
- CAMBA
Multiple shelters in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens
https://camba.org/programs/homeless-shelters/ - Bowery Mission
Manhattan, meals and overnight shelter
https://www.bowery.org/ - Coalition for the Homeless
Crisis help line: 1-888-358-2384
https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/get-help/
Women
- 52nd Street Women’s Shelter
Manhattan
Youth (16–24)
- Covenant House New York
Manhattan
https://ny.covenanthouse.org/
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (CONFIDENTIAL, SEPARATE SYSTEM)
- NYC DV Hotline
1-800-621-4673 or TTY 1-800-810-7444
QUICK RULES (IMPORTANT)
- You must go through an intake center to access DHS shelters.
- Intake centers are 24/7.
- Bring ID if possible, but lack of ID does not disqualify you.
- Call 311 only if you need directions or referral, not placement.
https://portal.311.nyc.gov/
If you want, I can now:
- Narrow this to one borough
- List low-barrier shelters
- Add street outreach teams
- Separate overnight vs long-term shelters
Go Directly to Shelter Intake
People can go directly to these locations to get shelter placement during the storm:
Families with Children
PATH (Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing)
151 East 151st Street, Bronx
https://www.nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/families/families-with-children-applying.pag
Drop-In Centers: Warm, Safe, and Connected to Shelter
Drop-in centers provide immediate warmth, food, and help entering shelter:
- Mainchance Drop-In Center
https://www.ncsinc.org/get-info/ - Project Hospitality (Staten Island)
https://www.projecthospitality.org/
Warming Centers Open Citywide
NYC Emergency Management has opened warming centers in schools and community buildings across all five boroughs, providing safe indoor space during the storm.
Outreach Continues During the Storm
Street outreach teams from the Department of Homeless Services continue operating during the storm, encouraging people to come inside and transporting them to shelters or warming centers.
City officials emphasize a simple message during severe weather:
No one should remain outside in snow and extreme cold. Shelter is available, and help is only a call away.
Simon R. Downes 