Housing
Where to spend the night if you have nowhere to go, how to keep your home and get help with rent, and how to rent a room or an apartment in New York City without being cheated.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Start here
- If you have nowhere to sleep tonight, go to the shelter intake site for your household: they are open 24 hours.
- If your landlord changed the lock without a court order, call 911 and say "Russian" for a free interpreter. If you got court papers, do not move out, and ask the Housing Court for a free lawyer (Right to Counsel).
- If you are behind on rent, apply for a One Shot Deal (a one-time City payment), then call 929-273-1872 right away for the interview. The line's menu has Russian, and staff bring in a free interpreter.
- 1Nowhere to sleep tonight
- 2Young people and LGBTQ+ beds
- 3Eviction, lockouts and problems with your landlord
- 4Living in a shelter: your rights and how to complain
- 5Help paying rent, staying housed and leaving shelter
- 6Housing for people living with HIV or AIDS
- 7Renting a room or an apartment
- 8Rental scams: how to spot them and what to do
Sources, checked November 2026
- portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02501
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/singleadults/single-adults-applying.p…
- communications.cityofnewyork.us/update-men-and-adult-families-…
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/families/adult-families-applying.page
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/city-services/housing.page
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/families/families-with-children-apply…
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/about/transgender-non-binary-and-intersex-cli…
- nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/dhs_policy_on_serving_transge…
- nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/brc-1062-e.pdf
- projectrenewal.org/our-work/homes/marshas-house
- aliforneycenter.org/get-help
- aliforneycenter.org/housing-services
- covenanthouse.org/homeless-shelters/new-york
- nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/runaway-homeless-youth/borough-base…
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/07/mayor-adams-marks-closure-n…
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- coalitionforthehomeless.org/our-programs/crisis-services/crisi…
- nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/resources/tenant-helpline.page
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/legal-services-for-tenants.page
- nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/resources/right-to-counsel.page
- ibo.nyc.gov/assets/ibo/downloads/pdf/community-and-social-serv…
- nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/resources/illegal-lockouts.page
- housingcourtanswers.org/contact-us
- housingcourtanswers.org
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/contact-us.page
- comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/nyc-tenants-bill-of-rights
- ag.ny.gov/publications/residential-tenants-rights-guide
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/rental-listing-scams
- nyc.gov/site/dca/about/FAQ-Broker-Fees.page
- access.nyc.gov/programs/nyc-housing-connect
- housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase.page
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase-faqs.page
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/cash-assistance.page
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/government-benefits/what-you-need-to-…
- housingcourtanswers.org/answers/for-tenants/housing-court-tena…
- bplc.cssny.org/files/attachment/97ea7467-586f-4b58-adcd-63bafb…
- nyic.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/v6-Public-Benefits-chart-2…
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/cityfheps.page
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/cityfheps-documents/DSS-7n-(E…
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/cityfheps-documents/dss-7r-e.…
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/hiv-aids-services.page
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/answering-case-nyc-ho…
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/nonpayment-proceedings
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/stopping-eviction
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/illegal-lock-outs
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/hp-cases-obtain-repairs
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/starting-hp-proceedin…
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/nyc-housing-court-fre…
- nycourts.gov/courts/12th-judicial-district/new-york-city-housi…
- nycourts.gov/courts/2nd-judicial-district/new-york-city-civil-…
- nycourts.gov/courts/1st-judicial-district/new-york-city-civil-…
- nycourts.gov/courts/11th-judicial-district/new-york-city-civil…
- nycourts.gov/courts/13th-judicial-district/new-york-city-civil…
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/civiljustice/HRA-OCJ…
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase-locations.page
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- hcr.ny.gov/good-cause-eviction
- otda.ny.gov/policy/gis/2023/23DC039.pdf
- nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/DHS-118_AS.pdf
- nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/intake_drop_in_centers.pdf
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/HASA/SPSVC-18-E.pdf
- ssa.gov/ssi
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/community/source-of-income-discrimination.page
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/law/immigration-status-and-national-origin-l…
- nyc.gov/site/fairhousing/rights-responsibilities/what-are-the-…
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/cityfheps-documents/DSS-8r-(E…
- newyork.news12.com/last-migrant-shelter-in-the-city-to-close-b…
- nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/victim-services/how-to-report-a-cri…
- nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_prevention/NYPDcptips_…
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/register-your-proper…
- hpdonline.nyc.gov/hpdonline
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/pathway-home.page
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/adult-protective-services.page
- uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-parole
- nycourts.gov/new-york-city-housing-court/nyc-housing-court-war…
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/outreach/street-outreach.page
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/prevention/domestic-violence.page
- door.org
- safehorizon.org/streetwork
- hmi.org
- nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/runaway-homeless-youth.page
- thetrevorproject.org/get-help
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/good-cause-eviction.…
- ag.ny.gov/publications/new-york-state-good-cause-eviction-law
- legalservicesnyc.org
- legalaidnyc.org
- nylag.org
- camba.org/program/legalservices
- buj.org
- riseboro.org/program/legal-services-leap
- bronxworks.org/our-services/legal-services
- mobilizationforjustice.org
- naicany.org/legal-services
- bronxdefenders.org
- snp.urbanjustice.org
- hcc-nyc.org/legal-services
- nmic.org/housing-legal
- queensdefenders.org
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/tenant-harassment.page
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/tenants-rights-legal…
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/ombudsman/ombudsman.page
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/resources/service-animals.page
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- coalitionforthehomeless.org/get-help/i-have-a-shelter-problem
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/permanency/permanency.page
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/section-8-eligibilit…
- a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/HASA/SPSVC-18-R.pdf
- housingworks.org/housing/locations
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/hasa-faqs.page
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/apartment-hunting-ti…
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/housing-ambassadors.…
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/ready-to-rent.page
- nyc.gov/site/nycha/eligibility/eligibility.page
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-kno…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/10-worst-everyday-scams.page
- nyc.gov/assets/hpd/downloads/pdfs/services/scam-alert-english.…
- ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260720
- otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance
- nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/programs/contact-the-tenant-support-uni…
- portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01042
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/report-tenant-harass…
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/report-a-maintenance…
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page
- nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/housing-services-support…
- nyc.gov/site/doi/contact/online-complaint-form.page
- nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/language/accessplan/…
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Local_Law_30.pdf
- safehorizon.org/hotline
- humantraffickinghotline.org/en/contact
- portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01619
- nycourts.gov/help/representing-yourself-court/language-help-in…
- hudoig.gov/report-fraud
- ovc.ojp.gov/program/elder-fraud-abuse/national-elder-fraud-hot…
- dhs.gov/operational-and-support-components
- nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/singleadults/single-adults-applying.p…
- nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/intake_drop_in_centers.pdf
- sco.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Brooklyn-Youth-Center-5.28.…
- nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/runaway-homeless-youth/borough-base…
- nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/runaway-homeless-youth/crisis-servi…
- nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/brc-1062-r.pdf
- nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/programs/contact-the-tenant-support-uni…
- nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase-faqs.page
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/new-help-spotting-avo…
- consumer.ftc.gov/features/scams-against-immigrants
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/do-you-use-payment-ap…
- nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/basement-and-cellar.…
- comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/bringing-basement-apartments-into-…
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/rental-listing-scams