Emergency Housing (EHAP)
What EHAP Is
CHI provides temporary emergency housing to families and individuals who do not have a safe and decent place to sleep. CHI partners with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) the Departments of Social Services (DSS) in Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange Counties, and the New York City Department of Homeless Services (NYC DHS) to provide over 1,500 units of emergency housing units every night.
For Assistance
Emergency housing residents must be referred by county Department of Social Services or NYC Department of Homeless
Services. CHI cannot accept walk-ins. If you or someone you know are currently homeless and in need of assistance,
please call / contact your / their respective Department of Social Services for a referral
| County / City | Info Line | Other Info |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk County DSS 3085 Veterans Memorial Hwy Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 | 631-854-9930 | After 4:30pm, weekends, and holidays, call 631-854-9100 or 211. |
| Nassau County DSS 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd Uniondale, NY 11553-3656 | 516-227-8519 | After 4:00pm, weekends, and holidays, call 516-573-8626 or 211. |
| Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services 60 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 | 845-486-3300 | After hour emergencies, call 211. |
| Orange County DSS 18 Seward Avenue Mineola, NY 11501 | 845-346-1120 | After hour emergencies, call 211. |
| New York City DHS 33 Beaver Street New York, NY 10004 | 311 |
Where Families Live
EHAP places families in open-market apartments located in the general community, rather than in a congregate shelter setting. This allows parents and children to live in a typical neighborhood while they work toward long-term housing goals.
Services & Support
Each family is paired with a Housing Counselor who provides case management, advocacy, and direct assistance. Counselors:
Assess housing history
Current needs, and barriers to stability
Review income
Benefits, and overall financial management skills
Identify health
Mental health care needs and connect to providers
Explore education
employment, and vocational training opportunities
Help build
daily living skills such as housekeeping, budgeting, and household organization
Together with the family, counselors create an Independent Living Plan (ILP). This plan outlines concrete steps toward permanent housing and greater self-sufficiency. Families are then linked to community services, trainings, and employment resources that support each ILP.
Path to Permanent Housing
Housing Counselors walk alongside families through each step of the housing search, including:
- Sharing appropriate housing opportunities
- Assisting with rental applications and required documentation
- Preparing families for landlord interviews and unit inspections
- Advocating with property owners and management companies
- Supporting lease signing and the move into a new home
EHAP is designed as an extended, time-limited program that gives families a supported transition from homelessness to independent, permanent housing in the community.
Transitional Housing Programs
What Transitional Housing Is
CHI’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) is a scattered site temporary housing program for homeless families in Westchester, NY. Only families who are residing in shelter and referred by Westchester Department of Social Services can enroll in the program.
What Residents Can Expect
While each site is unique, CHI’s transitional housing programs typically offer:
- Safe, stable shelter in facilities designed for families or single adults
- Relocation assistance and case management to coordinate services and benefits
- Connection to healthcare, mental health, and substance use services through community partners
- Support with education, training, and employment, helping residents increase income and stability
- Help with budgeting and financial literacy, building the skills needed to manage rent and household expenses
Assistance finding permanent housing, from housing search and applications to landlord outreach and move-in support
Who Transitional Housing Serves
CHI’s transitional housing programs serve:
- Families with children who have lost their housing
- Single adults experiencing homelessness
- Households facing complex challenges such as job loss, health issues, or family crises
Eligibility and referral pathways vary by county and program and are typically coordinated through local social services or homeless services systems.
The Goal: From Crisis to Stability
Whether a family is placed in a scattered-site apartment through EHAP or in one of CHI’s transitional housing facilities, the goal is the same:
Move from crisis to stable, permanent housing with the tools to remain housed.
Through individualized planning, strong community partnerships, and ongoing support, CHI’s temporary housing programs give families and individuals the foundation they need to rebuild their lives.
For Assistance
If you are in a shelter in Westchester, NY and are interested in this program, please reach out to your shelter Case Manager.
| County / City | Info Line |
|---|---|
| Westchester County Department of Social Services Mount Vernon District Office 100 East First Street Mount Vernon, NY 10440-3442 | 914-995-3333 |