Making local service information easier to understand.

What this is

HelpSignal is a public, mobile-first status board for local resources: shelter, food, clothing, transportation, showers, laundry, ID help, and other urgent services. We help people see the latest provider-reported status, so they can call ahead or pick the right place to go.

Availability shown here is not guaranteed. Always call first when possible. Listings show the time the provider last updated each status so you know how fresh the information is.

What this is not

• Not HMIS, not coordinated entry, not case management. We don’t replace any provider’s intake process or eligibility rules.
• Not a record-keeping system for people experiencing homelessness. We don’t hold service histories, eligibility decisions, or referrals.
• Not affiliated with any single agency. Providers participate voluntarily and can leave at any time.

HelpSignal does not replace HMIS, coordinated entry, 211, provider intake, case management, or emergency services. It complements existing systems by adding a public-facing status layer for local urgent resources.

What we collect from people using the site

• Search activity. Which categories, cities, or ZIPs were searched. No IP addresses, no personal info. Used to understand what people are looking for.
• Resource views. How often each listing is viewed. No personal info. Search engine and link-preview bots are filtered out.
• Privacy-minded usage analytics. HelpSignal may collect privacy-minded usage analytics such as page views, resource searches, category filters, and resource views to understand whether the pilot is useful. HelpSignal does not use this data to identify public users and does not collect client-level records.
• Optional feedback. When you report outdated info, you can optionally leave a contact email so we can follow up. The email is visible only to HelpSignal admins, never to the public.
• Availability alerts, only if you ask for one. If you ask to be told when a resource becomes available, we store the listing, how you asked to be contacted (an email address, or a browser notification for that device), and the times the alert was created and sent. We do not store your name or anything about why you need the service. Alerts are deleted 30 days after you create them, and the contact details go with them. Admins do not see who asked for an alert.

What we deliberately do not collect

• No account is required to use the public site.
• No names, birthdates, or Social Security numbers.
• No addresses, immigration status, medical information, or service history.
• No continuous location tracking. (The “Use my location” button asks your browser for permission each time. If you choose that search, HelpSignal may store the coordinates tied to that search record.)
• No advertising cookies. HelpSignal uses privacy-minded analytics, and availability alerts may rely on limited browser storage or a small alert-management cookie.
• We don’t share, sell, or transfer data to advertisers or marketing platforms.

Provider accounts

Providers and administrators who manage listings have a signed-in account, handled by Clerk. We store their name, email, phone (if provided), and which organization they belong to. They use this account only to update public statuses; they don’t enter any client or recipient information.

Safety-sensitive listings

Domestic-violence shelters, youth drop-in sites, and other providers with location-safety concerns can have their physical address hidden from public view. The listing shows “Contact provider for location” instead. Providers choose this setting; if a listing should be hidden and isn’t, please let us know.

How long we keep data

• Search and view logs: kept for the duration of the pilot, then aggregated. No individual person is identifiable.
• Feedback submissions: kept until reviewed and resolved.
• Availability alerts: expire 30 days after you create them, and their contact details are deleted at the same time. Deleting an alert yourself deletes them immediately.
• Provider and admin accounts: kept while you’re participating or until you ask to be removed.

Removing your information

Providers: ask the HelpSignal admin to deactivate or delete your listing. Anyone who submitted feedback with a contact email and wants it removed: email us at the address below. Availability alerts you can remove yourself at any time, from Alert settings on the alerts screen.

Contact

Questions, removal requests, or to report something: email info@helpsignal.org.

Last updated: August 5, 2026