How does an individual get referred to a homeless shelter in Philadelphia?
If you are currently experiencing homelessness, please report to one of the City’s central intake centers. You must go through central intake for an initial assessment of your housing needs before placement into the homeless housing system. Placement at Center for Hope is not guaranteed as placements are based on providers’ availability of beds and the particular needs of homeless individuals.
Where are Philadelphia’s Central Intake Centers located; who do they serve and what are their hours of operation?
Monday through Friday 7 am – 5 pm
- Single Women and Families: Appletree Family Center, 1430 Cherry Street
- Single Men: Roosevelt Darby Center, 804 N. Broad Street
After 5 PM Daily, Weekends and Holidays
- Families: Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence, 715 N. Broad Street
- Single Women: House of Passage, 49th & Haverford Avenue
- Single Men: Station House, 2601 N. Broad Street
What are the official definitions of homelessness?
A homeless person is an individual without permanent housing who may live on the streets; stay in a shelter, mission, single room occupancy facilities, abandoned building or vehicle; or in any other unstable or non-permanent situation. [Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C., 254b)]
An individual may also be considered homeless if that person is “doubled up,” a term that refers to a situation where individuals are unable to maintain their housing situation and are forced to stay with a series of friends and/or extended family members.
In addition, previously homeless individuals who are to be released from a prison or a hospital may be considered homeless if they do not have a stable housing situation to which they can return. A recognition of the instability of an individual’s living arrangements is critical to the definition of homelessness. (HRSA/Bureau of Primary Health Care, Program Assistance Letter 99-12, Health Care for the Homeless Principles of Practice)
How many individuals in the City of Philadelphia are homeless?
Every year, Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services conducts a Point in Time Count of the number of homeless individuals on the streets, in shelters, or in temporary housing. About 5,700 are considered to be homeless in the City, which includes about 950 individuals who are unsheltered. Philadelphia has the lowest number of street homeless per capita of any of the largest cities in the U.S. (City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services).
What is the relationship between health, housing and homelessness?
Poor health such as illness, injury, or disability can cause homelessness when people cannot afford adequate housing. Additionally, acute problems are more difficult to treat in homeless shelters where there is limited access to medical care. When individuals have stable housing, they can refocus their efforts on their medical conditions and care because they are not stressed by the daily struggle of finding a place to stay. Housing also decreases the risks associated with further disease and violence.
What services does the Center for Hope provide?
Center for Hope provides emergency shelter, housing-focused case management, and referrals to supportive services to help homeless individuals obtain and retain housing.
How many beds does Center for Hope provide annually at the shelter for men?
The Center for Hope’s men’s shelter provides 54, 385 beds annually.
How many beds does Center for Hope provide annually at the shelter for women?
The Center for Hope’s women’s shelter provides 11, 680 beds annually.
How many meals does Center for Hope provide annually at its men’s shelter?
The Center for Hope men’s shelter provides 163, 165 meals annually.
How many meals does Center for Hope provide annually at its women’s shelter?
The Center for Hope’s women’s shelter provides 35,040 meals annually.
How many beds does Center for Hope’s shelter site for men have at any given time?
The Center for Hope’s men’s shelter has a capacity of 149 beds.
How many beds does Center for Hope’s shelter site for women have at any given time?
The Center for Hope’s women’s shelter has a capacity of 32 beds.
Does Center for Hope serve families?
No. The Center for Hope does not serve families.