The Legal Aid Society, Coalition for the Homeless, WIN, the NY Sane Coalition, the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and Housing Justice for All – representing hundreds of housing and tenant organizations, labor unions, faith groups, advocates, service providers, homeless New Yorkers, and others – today held two major rallies in New York City and Albany in support of New York City’s long-standing Right to Shelter protections.

The growing coalition came together to oppose efforts from Mayor Adam and Governor Hochul to dismantle New York’s Right to Shelter, a protection that has saved tens of thousands of lives over the last half-century and has prevented New York City from experiencing the massive tent encampments in public spaces so common in other major American cities.

The groups called on both the Mayor and Governor to use the many resources and tools at their disposal to provide safe shelter to all who need it, including moving homeless New Yorkers into permanent housing as quickly as possible, resettle new arrivals across the New York, and pursue other common sense solutions to ensure the City’s legal and moral obligation as well as the well-being of Legal Aid clients.

“The City’s revised application, supported by the State, would decimate Right to Shelter, protections that have defined our city and served as a lifeline for New Yorkers in need,” said Adriene Holder, Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “Working with both Albany and City Hall, we’ve identified various resources to help the City meet this moment, but our leaders have failed to follow through on these solutions.”

“Instead of pursuing an outcome that will only lead to mass street homelessness and increased suffering, Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams must fully execute these additional steps to increase shelter capacity and transition homeless New Yorkers from shelter to permanent housing,” she continued.