The Homeless Rights Project (HRP) protects and enforces the rights of homeless families and individuals in New York City. We represent groups and individuals who come to us through our toll-free helpline, referrals, and our ongoing outreach at shelter intake sites. The Project also serves as counsel to the Coalition for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization providing advocacy, programs, and direct services for homeless individuals and families in New York City.

The Homeless Rights Project serves as class counsel on a number of landmark impact litigation matters, including Callahan v. Carey, which established the right to shelter in New York City for single homeless men. Callahan laid the groundwork for courts to extend this right to other homeless New Yorkers in Eldredge (single homeless women), McCain/Boston (homeless families with minor children and pregnant women), and the C.W. settlement (runaway and homeless youth). HRP is currently monitoring and enforcing a settlement in Butler v. City of New York, which ensures all New Yorkers with disabilities who need shelter can meaningfully access it.

Most recently, HRP defended the right to shelter when the City tried to modify Callahan such that low-wage and disabled longtime New Yorkers and new arrivals would be ineligible for shelter. If the City had succeeded, it would have led to mass street homelessness. After five months of court-supervised mediation, a settlement was reached, which leaves the original Callahan consent decree intact and ensures a right to shelter for new arrivals (with additional restrictions) for the duration of the City’s emergency order related to the influx of new arrivals.

Learn more about our law reform work on our litigation docket.

Policy Advocacy

HRP works closely with community and fellow advocacy partners on issues relating to homelessness and housing in both the New York State legislature and the New York City Council. HRP staff regularly testify before State and City legislatures and comment on policies and regulatory changes. HRP also sits on numerous coalitions and task forces to advocate for additional resources for homeless New Yorkers. 

Advocacy Resources

• What You Need to Know About Right to Shelter As a Single Adult or Adult Family New Arrival
• What You Need to Know About 60-Day Shelter If You Are a Family with Children
• What You Need to Know About Your Rights As a New Immigrant Student
  
• What What You Need to Know About Shelter if You’re a New Arrival to New York City
• What You Need to Know About NYC Public & Privately-Owned Public Spaces
• What You Need to Know About Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals in Shelter
• What You Need to Know About Reasonable Accommodations in Shelter if You Have a Disability
• What You Need to Know About Requesting Language Access Services
• What You Need to Know About Applying for Shelter at PATH
• What You Need to Know About Addressing Bad Shelter Conditions
• What You Need to Know About Bringing a Lawsuit Against the Department of Homeless Services
• What You Need to Know if a Shelter Lost or Damaged Your Stuff
• What You Need to Know About Verifying Housing History with the Department of Homeless Services

Contact

• Contact the Homeless Rights Helpline at 800-649-9125 Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• If you need access to shelter, please click here for intake information.