Office of Homeless Services (OHS)

phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services

Providing Emergency Housing and Other Services to People Who Are Homeless and To Those At Risk Of Homelessness

Our mission is to provide the leadership, coordination, planning, and mobilization of resources to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Philadelphia.

Services Prevention and diversion: Working to prevent homelessness in the first place and diverting people away from shelters and into alternatives that are effective and safe.

Emergency and temporary shelter: Providing critically needed shelter to people who would otherwise be on the street or other places unfit for human habitation.

Long-term housing: Securing safe and affordable housing options for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable residents. This includes programs like rapid re-housing.

Food security: Informing food-insecure persons where to go for free food and meals, and empowering partners to provide healthy food options in safe and clean sites.

Partners Our services are offered through a network of provider agencies. As part of the City’s Health and Human Services Cabinet, we also collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Department of Public Health, and other stakeholders. Through our partnerships, we serve Philadelphians who need help and support.

Note:  The above descriptive information came from the department's About page.

Info

• Provider Network
• Publications
• Philadelphia’s Five Year Strategic Plan for the Homeless Assistance System
• Young Adult Leadership Committee, Philly Homes for Youth Coalition & Voices of Youth Count PHL

See Also

• Philadelphia’s Coordinated Entry and Assessment-Based Housing Referral System – or “CEA-BHRS” (pronounced sea-breeze)]
• National Homeless Shelter Directory - Philly Page

In The News

• Aggressive panhandlers prompt Philly to offer new option for helping those in need, Newsworks, June 13, 2017.
• City Offering 'Text Alternative' To Reduce Panhandling, CBS-3, June 12, 2017.
• Philly mayor: Don't give cash to panhandlers, Philly Voice, June 12, 2017.