The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Health Service Office (HSO) works to improve the health and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness in NYC.

To achieve this goal, HSO promotes health skills trainings and health care referrals to help DHS-affiliated shelter staff: respond to health crises in shelter; facilitate client linkages to medical care; and ensure medically appropriate residential placement.

HSO provides guidance on community-based health service provision in shelters. These include toolkits with shelter protocol guidance, client referrals and educational materials, and staff training opportunities: