Resources for Students Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Instability

Emergency Housing

211/LIFE LINE is a free, 24-hour confidential phone, chat, text service, and searchable online database. We are proud to bring a compassionate approach to providing information, referral and crisis/ suicide prevention services for Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Cayuga, and Seneca Counties. When you need help locating basic resources (like food, clothing, or shelter) or need crisis stabilization for yourself or someone you know, they’re here to listen and to help. Dial 211 or 1-877-356-9211.

DHS After Hours Shelter provides emergency housing to individuals requesting shelter after 5pm. Please call 585-442-1742.

Open Door Mission, Samaritan House is a housing crisis center; bed sign-up is at 4pm and 6pm daily.

Willow Domestic Violence Center has a 24-hour hotline. Call (585) 222-SAFE (7233) for confidential assistance with emergency shelter, safety planning, and other domestic violence support.

Additional emergency housing resources:

  • Homeless and Housing (24 hours): 547 St. Joseph Avenue, Rochester, NY, 585-423-9590
  • Women’s Place (24 hours): 146 Hobart Street, Rochester, NY 14611, 585-436-5452
  • House of Mercy (24 hours): 285 Ormond Street, Rochester, NY 14605, 585-546-2580

Housing Resources

Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Resource Locator: Search for HUD offices, including multi-family and public housing locations, homeless-coordinated entry system points of contact, and USDA rural housing.

Talk to someone at MCC. Staff is available at both the Brighton and Downtown campuses to review potential internal and external housing-related resources.

  • Financial Aid: Scholarships and other aid may be available, even if you do not qualify for state or federal aid. You may be eligible for other programs at the college, such as MCC Assist.
    Email Financial Aid (financialaid@monroecc.edu) or stop into the Financial Aid office (Brighton: Building 1, Room 231; Downtown: 2nd Floor, Room 210).
  • Housing insecure and homeless students may also meet with MCC’s homeless student liaison, Nicole Meyer (nmeyer@monroecc.edu).
  • Housing & Residence Life: On-campus housing is limited, but may be available to you. You must be a full-time student. To speak with someone about on-campus housing, please contact the Housing and Residence Life Office at 585-292-3674.
  • Counseling Center: Staff in this area are dedicated to supporting students as they pursue academic goals and explore personal growth and development.
    Email Counseling Center (counselingservices@monroecc.edu), call 585-292-2140, or visit the Brighton Campus office in Building 3, Room 103 or the Downtown Campus office on the 3rd Floor, Room 310.
  • Call Public Safety at 585-292-2911.

Local Housing Organizations

Tips to Avoid Eviction

This is provided for information purposes only and is not legal advice. For legal advice, contact the legal assistance agencies listed below and for more information see the City of Rochester Eviction Prevention Resources webpage.

Tenant’s Rights

  • Right to Housing: You have a legally protected right to remain in your home until the date on a court-ordered Marshal Eviction.
  • No Illegal Evictions: You should call 911 to request assistance if you are locked out, your utilities are shut off by your landlord or your belongings are removed before the date on a court-ordered Marshal Eviction.

Tenant’s Responsibilities

  • Paying Rent on Time: You are responsible for taking every step you can, as early as you can, to gather the resources to pay your rent on time.
  • Follow Terms of Lease: You are responsible for following the terms on your lease in good faith, including upkeep, noise, and prohibited activities.

Landlord’s Rights

  • Right to Rent: Your landlord has a right to receive rent each month as agreed in a lease, and to collect back rent owed.
  • Right to Evict: Your landlord has a right to request a court-ordered eviction of tenants for nonpayment or violating a lease agreement, or after the end of a lease.

Landlord’s Responsibilities

  • Maintain Safe Housing: Your landlord has a responsibility to provide safe, well-maintained housing.
  • Obey Housing Law: Your landlord has a responsibility to follow all housing laws in good faith, and honor court-ordered stays and arrangements.

Step 1: Behind on Rent or Struggling to Pay

What it means:

If you get behind, your landlord may charge late fees or give a “Pay Or Quit Notice.”

What you can do:

Keep doing these steps throughout the process:

  • Plan: Make a budget and figure out how much you can pay, and when
  • Gather resources: Apply for benefits, seek employment, check on tax return and stimulus check.
  • Negotiate: Talk to your landlord, explain your plan, ask for time to pay what you owe.
  • Reach out: Don’t go it alone! Contact a trusted friend, family member, or professional for emotional support.

Who can help:

Step 2: You Receive “Pay or Quit Notice” (14 Days)

What it means:

14 days after the notice, your landlord can file for eviction and get a court date.

What you can do:

  • Department of Human Services (DHS): Unless your income is too high,* apply here first for Emergency Assistance, 585-753-6960. If you are turned away, request your denial in writing.
    • *DHS Income Limits:
      • 1 person $2126/month
      • 2 person $2873/month
      • 3 person $3620/month
      • 4 person $4366/month
      • + ~$746/month for each extra person
  • Apply for Financial Assistance: To qualify for most one-time financial assistance, you must prove that you can afford your ongoing monthly rent after you get assistance.

Who can help:

If you are denied by DHS or make too much these agencies may help:

  • Catholic Family Center (CFC): Call Community Resource Services at 585-232-2050.
  • Community Place of Greater Rochester (CPGR) at 585-327-7200 ext. 100.
  • 2-1-1/Lifeline: Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 or chat on 211lifeline.org to access other financial assistance resources that may be specific to your area or situation.

Step 3: Eviction Is Filed, Court Date Is Set

What it means:

Your landlord has set a day in court to ask the court to evict you for nonpayment.

What you can do:

  • Plan, negotiate, gather resources, apply for financial assistance.
  • Prepare for court by seeking legal assistance.

Who can help:

Get legal assistance to prepare for court or answer other legal questions:

Step 4: On the Day of Court

What it means:

You and your landlord will have the opportunity to work out a settlement, and a judge will make a decision about if and when your landlord can evict you.

What you can do:

  • Ask the court if there is an attorney available to represent you.
  • Be prepared to present your case and prove it with documentation.

Who can help:

There may be attorneys in court but be sure to seek help before your court date.

Step 5: You Receive “Marshal’s Notice” (14 Days)

What it means:

If the judge rules in your landlord’s favor, they will grant a warrant of eviction which allows your landlord to have a marshal serve you a 14-day notice of eviction.

What you can do:

  • Apply for financial assistance for back rent or a security deposit for more affordable housing.
  • Start looking for other affordable housing.

Who can help:

  • Financial Assistance Agencies listed above.
  • Contact 2-1-1 for help with problem solving and finding resources for housing search, emergency food, and other resources you may need.

Step 6: Day of Court-Ordered Eviction

What it means:

You can no longer stay and an officer will ensure that you leave the property.

What you can do:

  • Pack your belongings to prepare and protect them.
  • Contact your support network for help with temporary housing and storage.

Who can help:

If needed, contact DHS for emergency shelter. Call 585-753-6044, or 585-442-1742 after hours.