Homeless Shelters Become Safe Havens During Hurricane Irene

It's a tight squeeze already in most homeless shelters around New York City.

Still, the Department of Homeless Services is preparing for an additional influx of residents who are stranded and may be seeking shelter due to Hurricane Irene.

The storm is predicted to touch down by Saturday evening in New York City and, if so, it's also predicted to be the worst the City has seen in 90 years.

The shelters not only will have to deal with an influx from those who are homeless and usually spend their summer nights outdoors, but also those ordered to evacuate low-lying areas but with no immediate place to go.

If you anticipate that you or someone else you know might need to seek shelter during the hurricane, be sure to check out the shelters first. 

Make a note of their proximity and also which shelters are designated men- or women-only. Be advised that men-only shelters do not accept children.

To follow is a list of shelters in and around Bedford-Stuyvesant:

85 Lexington Ave Women Shelter (718) 857-5600, 85 Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn 

177 Herkimer Co  (718) 857-2532, 177 Herkimer Street, Brooklyn 

Wayside Macdonough Residence (718) 453-3300, 771 Macdonough St # Mgt1, Brooklyn 

, also called the Pamoja House, (718) 574-2501, Marcus Garvey Blvd and Jefferson Avenue

Tillary Street Women's Shelter     (888) 425-0501, 200 Tillary Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

Park Slope Christian Help Inc.     (718) 237-2962, Park Slope Christian Help Inc. Brooklyn, NY 11217

Providence House     (718)455-0197, 703 Lexington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11221