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Homelessness Among Seniors and Disabled: A Growing Crisis.
Homelessness is affecting more seniors than ever before. Many older adults on Long Island are living on fixed incomes that simply can't keep up with rising rent, healthcare costs, and the lack of affordable housing. Some have worked their entire lives, only to find themselves without stability in their later years. Others are discharged from hospitals or released from institutions without a support system in place. These individuals are often vulnerable to illness, isolation, and exploitation. Our outreach team understands the unique challenges homeless seniors face — and we’re here to help. Support, Advocacy, and Resources for Senior Citizens Our mission is to connect homeless or at-risk seniors with critical services across Long Island, including emergency shelter placement, permanent housing referrals, food assistance, and healthcare navigation. We work closely with local agencies, senior centers, and case managers to ensure that no elder is left behind. Whether you're a senior in crisis or someone concerned about a loved one, our outreach program is a safe first step toward finding shelter, dignity, and hope. Call us or visit our contact page — we are here for you
"Immediate Housing Help Near Me: What to Do Right Now"
Senior Emergency Housing Help for Homeless Seniors and Disabled Individuals on Long Island
Get emergency housing help for homeless seniors, disabled individuals, or couples in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island, NY. Learn about DSS, APS, PRI, and reasonable accommodation letters.
If you or someone you love is a homeless senior, a person with a physical disability, or a couple facing homelessness in Nassau or Suffolk County, we’re here to guide you through the process of getting immediate housing assistance.
Living on the streets, in your car, or paying for an expensive hotel that drained your savings is stressful—and confusing. Let’s make it simple:
Step 1: Call us now: 631-260-1363
"Homeless Long Island is dedicated to helping you through this difficult time with housing assistance and support services."
Step 2: Go to DSS for Emergency Housing
Your first stop should be your local Department of Social Services (DSS). Request emergency housing assistance right away.
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Go to DSS immediately click on link for all information: click here
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If you have a special situation, such as:
✅ You and your partner are unmarried but want to stay together
✅ Your pet is your life and need to keep your loved one with you
✅ Or both
You will need a reasonable accommodation letter to make sure your needs are honored. Click here -
If your still in the hospital it is important to talk to the social worker about the above options, the social worker will help you, if need be you can have the social worker call Homeless long island. Before you leave the hospital be sure you get a copy of the PRI. This paper is important DSS may not house you without it. What is a PRI? Click here
Step 3: Call APS (Adult Protective Services)if DSS Cannot House You
If DSS does not provide housing, contact Adult Protective Services (APS) immediately. They can assist with emergency placement for vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Step 4: Find Stability with Respite Housing for Individuals with Mental Health Challenges
If you are a senior or disabled and are mentally challenged or experiencing mental illness, accessing temporary housing through Respite can provide a much-needed lifeline. A care coordinator is required to navigate the process, ensuring you receive the support needed to find safe shelter while addressing your mental health needs. This essential service offers a supportive environment designed to promote recovery and stability, making it a crucial step towards regaining independence. If you need a care coordinator click here, Respite housing click here
"Permanent Housing Assistance for Seniors and Disabled Individuals"
Catholic Charities' housing department provides seniors who meet income guidelines with the opportunity for safe and affordable housing and access to a supportive network of services. The program currently operates 16 housing facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties, totaling more than 1,329 units. In addition to providing safe, affordable apartments, Catholic Charities' housing department works to ensure the physical, social, and spiritual well-being of residents. Dedicated staff arrange social and educational events at the sites, identifying seniors needs, and help them access services for which they are eligible. Please note there is a wait list of 3-5 years however there are some exceptions.
Suffolk County Office for the Aging
How to Get the Subsidized Housing List
If you're a senior in Suffolk County seeking affordable housing, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging (SCOFA) provides a comprehensive list of federally‑subsidized housing complexes. You can download the latest PDF directory—covering locations, unit types, eligibility criteria, and contact numbers—directly from the SCOFA website
Prefer personal assistance? Call SCOFA at (631) 853‑8200, and staff can either email or mail you a copy of the list.
You can also visit their office in person at:
100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 .
Suffolk County office for the aging has so much more to offer visit their website below.
A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom is a resource for finding senior living options for both men and women. It is a referral service that helps families find suitable housing and care for their elderly loved ones, regardless of gender. The service acts as a bridge between families seeking care and various senior living communities, including assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other options
🏠 Housing Assistance by SILO (Self‑Initiated Living Options, Inc.)
What they offer: Specialists help individuals with disabilities understand housing rights and apply for subsidized housing programs They empower clients to find and maintain independent, affordable housing. Programs available: Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP): For high‑need Medicaid beneficiaries (e.g., frequent hospital/ED use or homelessness) Covers 70% of rent (client pays 30%) and provides support with deposits, moving, and community services. Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS): Assists Medicaid beneficiaries transitioning from nursing homes or at risk of placement Also covers 70% of rent, plus transition support like moving expenses and furnishings. Important notes: Neither program provides emergency housing.
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General inquiries: 631‑730‑3737
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Housing Program Director (Taciana Cheriel): 631‑880‑7929 ext. 121 · tcheriel@siloinc.org
Nassau county Department of Human Services Office for the Aging
The Nassau County Office for the Aging provides services to help residents aged 60+ live independently and with dignity. It offers senior centers, meal programs, transportation, legal aid, in-home assistance, and health insurance counseling. The office also advocates for seniors and distributes funding to partner agencies. Located in Uniondale, it can be reached at
LICIL (Nassau)
Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) – Nassau County is a nonprofit, disability-led organization based in Levittown that's dedicated to empowering older adults and people with disabilities. LICIL offers essential services tailored to seniors, including benefit navigation (SSI, Medicaid, Medicare), accessible transportation, wheelchair-accessible vans, and housing advocacy such as Section 8 assistance, low-income housing listings, and tenant rights education . . They also respond to homelessness among seniors by connecting them with Nassau County’s emergency housing programs, local shelters, and rapid re-housing resources—helping disenfranchised elders access stable housing, home modification funding, and supportive services to regain safety and independence . Through personalized advocacy, peer counseling, and creative resource solutions, LICIL ensures a dignified path for senior residents facing housing crises in Nassau County.
Family Service League
🧓 Senior & Caregiver Services (Long Island, NY)
FSL's programs in Suffolk County address the diverse needs of seniors, from housing to healthcare and companionship. Caregiver Support & Education: Provides free individual and group counseling, along with educational resources for caregivers, available both in-person and via Zoom. Home Share Long Island: Matches homeowners with available bedrooms to adults seeking affordable housing, fostering mutual support and companionship. Long Island Sound Senior Connections (NNORC): Engages Greenport residents aged 60 and over with services like health system navigation, transportation, and social activities. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Trained volunteers advocate for residents in long-term care facilities, ensuring their rights and quality of life are upheld. Senior Net: Offers technology training for adults over 50, ranging from basic to advanced skills, through webinars and in-person classes.
Family Service League is committed to enhancing the well-being of seniors and their caregivers through a variety of supportive programs and services.
Call 631-427-3700
Rapid Transition Housing
The Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP) provides a rental subsidy and supportive housing services for vulnerable high-need Medicaid members using a housing first model. RTHP, previously known as Nursing Home to Independent Living (NHIL), is a Medicaid Redesign Team initiative funded by the Department of Health and administered by the New York Association on Independent Living. The program started in four areas of the state: Long Island, Syracuse, New York City and Rochester. The program is currently expanding to cover all of New York State.
Referrals will be accepted to the program directly from a hospital, Managed Care Organization (MCO), medical respite, Performing Provider System (PPS), or skilled nursing facility (SNF). You can email referrals to HousingReferral@ilny.org.
RISEWELL - formerly Federation of Organizations
RiseWell Community Services (formerly Federation of Organizations) in Suffolk County delivers a holistic approach to wellness, combining mental health treatment, substance use recovery, senior care, children’s trauma services, affordable housing, and mobile support. Through its P.O.W.E.R. (Peer Outreach With Evening Recreation) and SOS (Safe Options Support) initiatives, RiseWell actively engages with individuals experiencing homelessness—meeting them on the streets, in shelters, encampments, or transit hubs. They provide essential resources like meals, clothing, peer support, care coordination, and help accessing housing, medical coverage, entitlements, employment, and addiction services . By meeting people where they are and assisting with long‑term connections, RiseWell helps men and women regain stability, dignity, and a pathway to permanent housing.
Thea Bowman Residence For the Disabled
Thea Boman apartment community only allows persons with disabilities. A person of any age with a disability, and an income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), qualifies for residency. In addition, Thea Bowman Residence is highly desirable because it offers rent subsidies and will tend to have a longer waiting list. This program was first introduced in 1990, so these younger properties are generally in good condition. Since the property includes a rent subsidy, you would pay no more than 30% of your income toward rent. Most of these properties include a resident services coordinator that organizes and facilitates services like healthcare management, transportation, and social activities. If you are a low-income person with a disability and need some help maintaining independent living, this property might be right for you. Since this property participates in the HUD 811 program and has a property based subsidy, if you have a Section 8 voucher, you would have to give up your voucher to move in.
Suffolk County Help Hotline
Crisis Hotline Available 24/7 Phone 631-751-7500