For individuals seeking housing - and their advocates
Connelly House & Project HOME - Philadelphia Intake & Advocacy Guide
A plain-language navigation playbook for someone seeking housing at Connelly House - and for a family member or advocate helping them - covering the City's coordinated-entry path, OHS emergency intake, who to call, exactly what to say, and what documents to gather.
Fastest next step
- 1If currently experiencing homelessness, go to a City-funded intake center today - see the OHS Intake section for walk-in and after-hours centers.
- 2Living outdoors? Call outreach at (215) 232-1984 any time.
- 3Ask to enroll in coordinated entry and request a referral to Project HOME or Bethesda Project.
Confirm before you go
Overview
Two tracks under one roof
Correct address: Connelly House is 1212 Ludlow Street, PA 19107 - not Arch Street
Connelly House is located at 1212 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Some listings or calls may incorrectly say Arch Street - use Ludlow. The Hub of Hope drop-in center is a separate location at 1400 Arch Street.
Connelly House is part of Project HOME's campus in Philadelphia and combines 55 permanent supportive housing units operated by Project HOME for adults who have experienced homelessness, plus 24 single-room-occupancy recovery units associated with Bethesda Project for adults in recovery from substance use disorders who receive support services.
Two tracks at a glance
| Track | Units | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Track A - Project HOME permanent supportive housing | 55 | Adults who have experienced homelessness and qualify for permanent supportive housing. |
| Track B - Bethesda Project recovery SRO | 24 | Adults in recovery from substance use disorders, clean and sober, with support services. |
Eligibility snapshot
Eligibility: a factor to confirm, not a guarantee
Eligibility and income limits are approximate targets that vary by program, funding round, and current rules. Final eligibility, openings, and referral rules must be confirmed directly with the agencies - Project HOME, Bethesda Project, and the City's intake process.
City of Philadelphia OHS
OHS assessment & emergency housing
The official answer first
The City's official emergency-housing page tells people experiencing homelessness to go to a City-funded intake center. It lists shelter and diversion assessment centers as walk-in intake locations - it does not provide an online advance appointment scheduler for OHS assessments. At the intake center, a person completes an assessment with a social work services manager. If the assessment cannot be completed during regular hours, the person can continue at an after-hours center or return during regular hours.
Street outreach is another access route for people living outdoors: call the City's 24/7 Homeless Street Outreach Hotline at (215) 232-1984; the outreach team can help find or get someone to a City-funded intake center.
Is there an online OHS assessment appointment?
I did not find an official City online appointment scheduler for the emergency-housing assessment. The official route is to go to an intake center; outreach can help people living outdoors; use OHS general phone or email for questions. An external agency such as a hospital can submit an online External Agency Referral (EAR) form, but that is a referral by an institution, not a public self-scheduling appointment.
Hub of Hope: a resource center, not a replacement for the intake process
The Hub of Hope is a resource and connection center. Project HOME lists Resource Coordination and case management as 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and transportation to shelter with CATCH as noon - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1400 Arch Street, Sub Concourse Level, Philadelphia, PA 19102, phone (215) 309-5225. Entrance guidance says to enter through Dilworth Plaza, southeast corner of 15th & JFK.
These hours and details are from Project HOME - check the source for changes before you go. The Hub of Hope supports people with resources, but the City's listed intake-center process is the official route; the official intake page says anyone who needs shelter can visit the centers.
Walk-in intake centers
These are walk-in intake locations - people are welcome to visit the center that most closely fits their gender identity.
Appletree Family Center
Roosevelt Darby Center
Veterans Multi-Service Center
After-hours intake centers
If the assessment cannot be completed during regular hours, it can continue at an after-hours center - or return during regular hours.
Red Shield Family Residence
Family ACTS After Hours Intake Site
Mike Hinson Resource Center
Gaudenzia's House of Passage
What to expect at an intake center
A metal-detector screening happens as you enter. The assessment asks for individual and household information such as name, birthdate, Social Security number, family makeup, and race.
Staff may ask for ID and, sometimes, guardianship proof - but the official page says no household can be denied shelter entrance for lacking ID or guardianship proof.
Snow emergency: daytime centers may close
Daytime centers are closed during a snow emergency, while after-hours centers remain open 24/7 until the City lifts it.
OHS phone & email contacts
Homelessness Prevention InfoLine
24/7 Homeless Street Outreach Hotline
Official OHS links
https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/buy-sell-or-rent-a-property/find-housing/find-emergency-housing/https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/continuum-of-care-coc/about/https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/documents/standards-policies-and-forms/https://www.projecthome.org/hub-hopeTrack 1
Direct intake & self-application playbook
Start here - urgent pathway
If you are experiencing homelessness right now, walk into a City-funded intake center today (see the OHS section above). Ask for an assessment and coordinated-entry enrollment, then request a referral to Project HOME (Connelly House) supportive housing or the Bethesda Project recovery SRO. Keep a name, an assessment date, and the next follow-up date before you leave.
Step by step: Philadelphia Coordinated Entry (CEA-BHRS)
- 01
Identify current homelessness and any safety needs. If there is an immediate danger or medical emergency, call 911 first.
- 02
Contact an access / intake point - a City-funded intake center or the outreach hotline (215) 232-1984. The Hub of Hope can also connect you to resources.
- 03
Request an assessment and coordinated-entry enrollment.
- 04
Provide or confirm your identity, homelessness history, disability, and income information.
- 05
State your preference and fit: Project HOME permanent supportive housing, or Bethesda Project recovery SRO.
- 06
Ask for a referral to the appropriate housing project.
- 07
Get the assessor / case manager's name, the assessment date, your VI-SPDAT or current assessment status if applicable, referral status, and the next follow-up date.
- 08
Keep your contact information current so the record does not go stale.
- 09
Follow up at the agreed date without losing your coordinated-entry record.
A note on calling Connelly House directly
Calling Connelly House directly may get you information, but it does not necessarily bypass coordinated entry or guarantee placement. Referrals generally flow through the City's coordinated-entry process. Use direct calls to confirm status and the correct next contact.
Access points
City OHS intake centers
Project HOME 24/7 Homeless Outreach Hotline
Track 2
Advocate / family action playbook
As an advocate or family member, your job is to make sure every contact is logged, every question is asked, and nothing slips through a gap. Start with the direct contacts below, then use the ready-to-read call scripts in the Scripts section.
Direct contacts
Connelly House site office
Project HOME main office
Bethesda Project main office
Privacy & consent note
Get permission before you ask for case details
Agencies may need the individual's permission or a release before sharing case details with you. When asked, confirm that you have the person's consent to discuss their case, and never share sensitive details more broadly than needed.
Before you go
Documentation checklist
Bring what you can. Lacking documents should not stop someone from seeking intake - ask the access point how to replace or verify what you do not have.
Identity & household
- Photo ID or other identity documents
- Social Security card / number, if available
- Birth date, household composition
- Emergency contact
- Accommodation / interpreter / accessibility needs
Eligibility & program fit
- Disability verification, or diagnosis / support-needs documentation (for PSH)
- Income / benefit proof (SSI, SSDI, wages, benefits)
- Homelessness / shelter history and dates
- Current shelter / case-manager information
- Recovery / treatment or sobriety-program documentation (for the Bethesda track)
- Copies of referral / assessment paperwork
Missing a document?
Do not wait to have every document before you start. Go in with what you have, tell the intake worker what is missing, and ask how to replace or verify it. A missing paper should not delay the initial assessment.
Ready to read
Call scripts
Read these nearly word for word. Fill in the bracketed parts. Each script has a copy button so you can paste it into notes or a message.
A - Connelly House site office
Hello, I'm calling about a possible housing referral for [name]. They are currently [homeless / at risk], and may fit the Project HOME supportive-housing track / Bethesda recovery SRO track. Could you tell me whether the property is accepting referrals, which coordinated-entry or agency referral is required, what documents are needed, and the correct next contact? Please note my name and callback number and tell me the best follow-up date.
B - Project HOME (Hub of Hope / CEA-BHRS navigation)
Hello, I'm calling about housing support through Project HOME. Could you help me understand how to navigate the Hub of Hope and the coordinated-entry (CEA-BHRS) process? I'd like to know the eligibility rules for permanent supportive housing, what disability documentation is accepted, and the referral steps. What should I do next, and who is the right person to contact?
C - Bethesda Project (recovery SRO)
Hello, I'm calling about the recovery single-room-occupancy units at Connelly House. Could you tell me about the eligibility rules, the sobriety and recovery-program requirements, current vacancies, and how referrals work? Should the person start through Bethesda Project or through coordinated entry? What is the next step?
D - Advocate follow-up on an existing referral
Hello, this is [your name], following up on a referral for [name]. We last spoke on [date] and the next step was [action]. I'd like to check the current status, confirm the referral / assessment ID, and ask what the next follow-up date should be. Can you provide a reference number or written confirmation?
Questions to ask a site manager
Stay organized
Case tracking
Keep one case log for the whole effort. One page, one source of truth, updated after every contact.
| Date / time | Person / agency | Phone / email | Exact question | Answer | Documents requested | Referral / assessment ID | Next action | Due date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tracking habits that keep a case moving
Verify
Sources & verification
Web listings and hours can change. Confirm current details directly with each agency before traveling. This guide does not itself apply for housing and does not create a referral.
OHS & City of Philadelphia (checked August 15, 2026)
https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/buy-sell-or-rent-a-property/find-housing/find-emergency-housing/https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/continuum-of-care-coc/about/https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/documents/standards-policies-and-forms/https://www.projecthome.org/hub-hopeProject HOME & Bethesda Project
https://www.projecthome.org/connelly-househttps://www.projecthome.org/hub-hopehttps://www.projecthome.org/outreach-coordination-centerhttps://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/https://www.bethesdaproject.org/housing-shelterhttps://www.bethesdaproject.org/