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Homeless Encampment

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    Call 911

    Call 911 if a person is:

    • On the subway tracks
    • Creating a hazard, such as blocking a sidewalk or ATM
    • Creating a danger to themselves or others
    • Currently located on private property (this is considered trespassing)

      Need something else?

      You can report homeless people who have established encampments on public property.

      An encampment is a structure to live under, including, but not limited to:

      • Mattresses
      • Tarps
      • Tents
      • Camping setups

      Encampments are often under bridges or in remote areas where groups can isolate. In New York City, obstructions and encampments are not allowed.

      You can report an encampment at the following locations:

      • Bridges
      • Highways
      • Parks or playgrounds
      • Outside of residential and commercial buildings
      • Roadway tunnels
      • Streets and sidewalks
      • Subway stations/entrances

      What Happens Next

      Officers from your local police precinct will respond within 4 hours. They will inspect the location to determine if an encampment exists and refer their findings to the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

      DHS will work to assess and address the condition with city agency partners, such as the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the Parks Department. Throughout the process, DHS will engage with the individuals at the site to offer services and support, including protecting and safekeeping any valuable belongings.

      Belongings that are collected are referred to as vouchered. Items that have been vouchered will be stored for 90 days. 

      DHS can also provide Homeless Assistance.

      Learn more about the City's response to encampments.

      If your belongings are vouchered by DHS, DHS will give you a “DHS Clean Up Site Voucher” form. Items that have been vouchered will be stored for 90 days. If you need more time to collect your belongings, you can contact DHS Joint Command Center (JCC) before the end of the 90 days.

      If you are trying to locate your personal items that you believe were collected as part of an encampment clean up, you should do the following:

      • Check the area for the “Notice of New York City Clean Up” or the “Post Clean Up Notice” that contains helpful details regarding the clean up, including the date and location of the clean up and whether items were vouchered.

      • If DHS vouchered your belongings and you do not have a “DHS Clean Up Site Voucher” form, contact DHS JCC by phone:

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      • If you have the date, address, or description of the location of where your belongings were at the time of the clean up and DHS does not have your belongings, contact NYPD. You will need to contact the NYPD precinct that is responsible for that location. Find the address or phone number for an NYPD precinct.

      You can visit a DHS Drop-In Center and use their phone to call the DHS JCC or local NYPD precinct if you have questions about stored or removed property vouchered by DHS or NYPD. Find a DHS Drop-In Center.

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