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7 Crucial Facts About The Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center: Photos, Hours, And 2024 Updates Revealed

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The Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center in Philadelphia stands as a critical lifeline for families experiencing homelessness, operating as the primary gateway for emergency housing and essential support services in Center City. As of December 22, 2025, the center is a key component of the city's updated strategy to address housing crises, focusing on a coordinated and efficient intake process to ensure families receive immediate and comprehensive assistance.

While the search for specific "photos" of the interior often leads to general images due to the sensitive nature of a public intake facility, the true story of the Apple Tree Center lies in its crucial function and its operational updates. It is not just a building at 1430 Cherry Street; it is the central hub where the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services (OHS) executes its mission of making homelessness "rare, brief, and nonrecurring" for the city's most vulnerable population: single women and families with children. Understanding its role, hours, and the new intake system is far more important than any visual tour.

The Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center: Essential Facts & Biography

The Apple Tree Family Center is not a general-purpose shelter but a specialized daytime intake and assessment center. It serves as the front door for the entire emergency housing system for families in Philadelphia. Its strategic location makes it accessible for those in crisis, and its operational structure is designed for immediate intervention and diversion from the streets.

  • Official Name: Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center
  • Core Function: Shelter and Diversion Assessment for families and single women.
  • Address: 1430 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 (located near Cherry and 15th Street in Center City).
  • Primary Service Population: Families with children and single women seeking emergency housing placement.
  • Daytime Intake Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Note: Hours can be subject to change, always confirm with the Office of Homeless Services).
  • Contact Phone: (215) 686-7150, 7151, 7152, or 7153.
  • Governing Entity: The City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services (OHS).

The center’s environment is focused on providing a safe, centralized location for the initial assessment. The OHS has worked to implement an innovative intake system model aimed at shortening wait times and streamlining the process for families in distress. This is part of a broader city-wide effort known as the Continuum of Care (CoC).

The New Coordinated Entry System: A 2024 Operational Shift

The operational landscape of homeless services in Philadelphia, spearheaded by the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), has seen significant updates, especially concerning the intake process at the Apple Tree Family Center. The system in place is the Coordinated Entry and Assessment (CEA) system, which ensures that all families facing a housing crisis are assessed fairly and prioritized based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

1. Focus on Housing Diversion and Prevention

A major emphasis in the current OHS strategy is Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Aid. The goal is to prevent a family from entering the shelter system in the first place. When a family arrives at the Apple Tree Center, staff first assess if a safe, alternative housing solution (Diversion) can be found, such as staying with family or friends with temporary financial assistance, before being placed in emergency shelter. This strategy is critical to managing the demand for emergency beds.

2. The Role of the Continuum of Care (CoC)

The Apple Tree Center is a functional part of the Philadelphia Continuum of Care (PA-500), the city's homeless assistance system, which is heavily funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In 2024, the CoC was awarded significant funding to continue its efforts. This funding supports the entire system, from intake at Apple Tree to permanent housing solutions. This interconnectedness means that the service you receive at Apple Tree is connected to the wider network of providers, including organizations like Project HOME, Bethesda Project, and Center for Hope.

3. Integration with PhilaHMIS

The entire intake and service delivery process is managed through the Philadelphia Homeless Management Information System (PhilaHMIS). This centralized database ensures that client information is tracked consistently across the entire network of service providers. This digital integration is a key part of the "innovative intake system model" designed to shorten wait times and improve service coordination, ultimately leading to a more efficient path to stable housing.

Navigating Emergency Housing: What Families Need to Know

For families and single women who need to access emergency shelter, the first and most critical step is visiting the Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center during its daytime hours. Knowing the required documentation and the steps involved can significantly ease the stress of the process.

Required Documentation for Intake

To expedite the assessment process, families are strongly advised to bring the following documents. The intake process is a detailed assessment of the family’s situation, and having these documents ready is essential for a smooth experience:

  • Photo Identification (I.D.): For all adults/parents seeking assistance.
  • Social Security Cards: For all family members.
  • Birth Certificates: For all dependent children.
  • Proof of Immunizations: Required for children prior to placement in temporary housing.
  • Proof of Crisis/Homelessness: Any documentation showing the immediate need for shelter (e.g., eviction notice, letter from a previous shelter).

The Intake and Assessment Process

Upon arrival at 1430 Cherry Street, the process is not simply an immediate placement. It is a comprehensive assessment that determines the most appropriate and least restrictive intervention. The steps typically include:

  1. Initial Screening: Staff assess the immediate crisis and verify the family's eligibility for OHS services.
  2. Diversion Assessment: Staff work with the family to explore all non-shelter alternatives, including mediation or temporary financial aid to resolve the crisis without entering the shelter system. This is the first priority.
  3. Coordinated Entry Assessment: If diversion is not possible, a full assessment is completed to understand the family's needs, vulnerabilities, and barriers to housing. This assessment determines the family's priority for placement in an emergency shelter or transitional housing.
  4. Placement: Based on the assessment, the family is either placed in an emergency shelter (which could be the Apple Tree facility itself or another location like the Red Shield Family Residence for after-hours intake, depending on the time of day) or referred to other specialized programs.

The Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center is a cornerstone of Philadelphia's efforts to combat family homelessness. Its operational efficiency and its integration into the broader Continuum of Care system—including partnerships with the Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Homeless (CARIE) and other local nonprofits—are crucial for providing a coordinated and compassionate response to those in crisis. The ongoing focus on prevention, diversion, and the use of the PhilaHMIS system demonstrates a commitment to not only house families but to provide them with the resources needed for long-term stability and to keep the momentum going toward a future where homelessness is truly rare.

7 Crucial Facts About the Apple Tree Family Central Intake Center: Photos, Hours, and 2024 Updates Revealed
apple tree family central intake center photos
apple tree family central intake center photos

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