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Projects, Units & Initiatives
The Homeless Rights Project (HRP) protects and enforces the rights of homeless families and individuals in New York City. We do so by providing law reform representation to groups of homeless families and individuals as well as by providing direct representation for clients who come to us through our toll-free helpline 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 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, most recently, 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 homeless New Yorkers with disabilities can meaningfully access shelter.
Learn more about our law reform work on our litigation docket.
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.
HRP has been steadfast in its efforts to advocate for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to our regular and ongoing responsibilities to our clients, staff advocated for the City’s Department of Homeless Services (NYC DHS) to provide shelter residents and street homeless individuals with placement in hotel rooms rather than congregate shelters due to the risks inherent in congregate settings. Through litigation, HRP was successful in establishing a process for assessing whether clients are especially at risk of complications from COVID-19 and therefore entitled to a placement in a less dense setting.
Following additional advocacy by HRP, NYC DHS staff have made numerous changes to their procedures for homeless families. These changes include promoting social distancing by conducting shelter eligibility interviews remotely and allowing families determined to be ineligible for services to reapply for shelter without leaving their current placement. HRP also brought litigation that forced the City to provide WiFi to all students in shelters that house families with minor children to facilitate access to remote learning.
Throughout the pandemic, HRP has been an information resource for the community and other Legal Aid staff and advocacy groups. HRP helped initiate an online repository of pandemic-related legal information, as well as created and distributed Know Your Rights materials during the subway shutdown. We have worked with other LAS staff to assist clients transferring from carceral institutions into temporary housing. The team remains committed to protecting the rights of homeless New Yorkers to remain safe during the pandemic.
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 (DHS)