About HelpSignal

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-updated 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.

What we collect from people using the site

• Anonymous searches. Which categories, cities, or ZIPs were searched. No IP addresses, no personal info. Used to understand what people are looking for.
• Anonymous resource views. How often each listing is viewed. No personal info. Search engine and link-preview bots are filtered out.
• 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 When you report outdated info, you can optionally leave a contact email so we can follow up.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.

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 location tracking. (The “Use my location” button asks your browser for permission each time and only uses the coordinates for that one search.)
• No cookies or trackers on public pages.
• 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.
• 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.

Contact

Questions, removal requests, or to report something: email team@efcompliance.com.

Last updated: June 11, 2026