Homelessness Prevention

The Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Division operates a Homelessness Prevention program for York County citizens who are experiencing or at eminent threat of homelessness.   

Please note: Households seeking Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, and Targeted Prevention assistance must first complete a screening and assessment. To complete this process households are encouraged to call the Housing Division at 757-890-3885 or the Housing Crisis Hotline at 866-750-4431. If households qualify for services based on the assessment, a referral may be placed. Completion of the assessment and receipt of a referral does not guarantee assistance through these programs. 

Emergency Shelter

In cases where the prevention of homelessness is not possible or safe, emergency shelter may be used as a temporary measure when funding is available. Households seeking shelter go through an assessment screening. To complete this screening households are encouraged to call the Housing Division at 757-890-3885 or the Housing Crisis Hotline at 866-750-4431.  If households qualify for services based on the assessment, a referral may be placed. Completion of the assessment and receipt of a referral does not guarantee placement in shelter. During the winter months, individuals seeking shelter are diverted to congregate shelter through Community of Faith Mission (COFM). 

Rapid Rehousing

Rapid re-housing is an intervention designed to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Rapid re-housing assistance is offered without preconditions. Rapid re-housing assistance is limited to literally homeless households. These are households who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes those currently residing in a shelter and those existing an institution with no housing resources. 

Targeted Prevention

Targeted prevention attempts to prevent episodes of homelessness for individuals and families seeking shelter who are currently housed but at imminent risk of homelessness. Financial assistance is provided as a last resort to prevent homelessness. 

Client Privacy Statement

We collect personal information directly from you for the reasons that are discussed in our Notice of Privacy Practices. We may be required to collect some personal information by law or by organizations that give us money to operate this program. Other personal information that we collect is important to run our programs, to improve services for homeless persons, and to better understand the needs of homeless persons. We only collect information that we consider to be appropriate. 

The collection and use of all personal information is guided by strict standards of confidentiality. A copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices is available to all Clients upon request.