MOVING SOON? HERE IS A MESSAGE FROM

THE NYC DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES

(Article published in HWW April 2009)

Moving into your own place is exciting, but sometimes it can also be overwhelming. If problems come up, it’s nice to know there is somewhere you can turn to for help. Homebase is a program available to every former shelter resident to provide advice, and at times, direct support.

How can Homebase help?

Homebase helps you develop an individualized service plan to address a variety of issues that are related to your housing. For example, services include the following:

• Assistance renewing the Work Advantage program

• Household budgeting, financial education/counseling, and credit repair

• Household and landlord mediation

• Legal services

• Public benefits advocacy

• Short-term financial assistance

• Household repairs

• Assistance finding child care

• Assistance increasing education or employment

• Mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse referrals

How do I contact Homebase?

To contact Homebase, just call 311 and ask for Homebase. The operator can tell you where the closest Homebase office is located, and even directly transfer your call during regular business hours. Make sure you tell the Homebase operator that you would like to receive aftercare services.

SAVE THESE NUMBERS

The NYC Department of Homeless Services runs two hotlines to help you with problems and complaints Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. At other times, you will have to leave a message with your name and contact number.

The Prevention Hotline at (212) 607-6200 serves families who are moving out of the shelter system and into permanent homes. They offer all sorts of help with such problems as landlord-tenant mediation, finding referrals to community services like Homebase, checking on the status of Section 8 applications and more.

The Office of Client Advocacy at 1 (800) 994-6494 serves homeless families already in shelter or families in danger of becoming homeless, responding to their questions and complaints.

A READER WRITES:

“I didn’t hear about Homebase before I left the shelter. After I moved to my apartment, someone told me about it and when I called they said I needed a referral from DHS.”

When you go to sign your lease to your new apartment, you should be offered a letter of referral to the Homebase in your new neighborhood. If you don’t pick it up at lease signing, call the DHS Prevention Hotline and say you need a referral.