Homeless Rights Month began in July 2021, with a call from directly impacted advocates to stop the city’s assaults on homeless rights. One year and a new administration later, over 60,000 New Yorkers are still languishing in shelters, and thousands more are sleeping on the streets. That’s why this July, advocates and directly impacted New Yorkers are once again joining together for a month of action, declaring July Homeless Rights Month in New York City.

We’re asking the city to:

Stop Street and Subway Sweeps
- Stop criminalizing homelessness; get cops out of outreach
- End abusive street sweeps that dispose of belongings and destroy trust
- Follow CDC guidelines to allow people to shelter in place on the street or in subways unless single rooms can be offered
- Offer single rooms and vouchers directly to folks on the street
Fast-Track Housing
- Broaden voucher eligibility and get vouchers into people's hands more quickly, whether in shelters or on the street
- Eliminate voucher utility allowance and "rent reasonableness" standard
- Truly invest in source-of-income enforcement
- Fast-track HONDA developments and make substantial budget investments in permanent housing
Provide Privacy + Dignity in Shelters
- Invest in single-room Safe Haven and stabilization beds; Work to phase out congregate shelters
- Don't end reasonable accommodations protecting high-risk New Yorkers
- Provide on-site medical and mental healthcare in all city shelters
- Protect against undue administrative transfers that disrupt people's lives, health, and education

How can I help?

Participate in actions virtually, in person, and on social media—and if you can’t participate, amplify!

Actions led by homeless New Yorkers and advocates are taking place throughout the month of July. Follow the #HomelessRightsMonth hashtag on social media to keep up with actions you may want to participate in or amplify, and check out our social media kit for sample tweets and graphics to use—this is being updated throughout the month!

Plan an event to support homeless rights in your community.

Have an idea for an action that lifts up homeless rights in your community? Plan an event this month and share it on social media--make sure to use the #HomelessRightsMonth hashtag!

Speak out to your elected officials.

Tweet at @NYCMayor, call the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit at 212-788-7418, and call and email your Council Member (you can find out who represents you here) to let them know you want them to stop the sweeps, fast-track housing, and provide privacy and dignity in shelters.