Homeless Demonstrating Urgent Need Can Qualify for Immediate Free Shelter Under New Guidelines, as Legal Aid Society of New York Settles 25-Year Old Lawsuit
Legal Services E-lert

Date of E-Lert – 09/26/08

Bibliographic Info:
Author: Leslie Kaufman and David W. Chen
Source: “City Reaches Deal on Shelter for Homeless,” The New York Times
Date: September 18, 2008

The New York Times reports:   "New York City agreed on Wednesday [September 17, 2008] to codify standards for how homeless families seeking shelter should be treated in exchange for freedom from long-running judicial oversight that has led to millions of dollars in fines and has dictated much of the daily functioning of the city's shelters.  The agreement, signed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's top lawyer and the Legal Aid Society and ending a 25-year litigation marathon, would become effective upon court approval, expected in about a month.  To get the deal, the city agreed formally and permanently to a principle that has held sway for two decades: that homeless families demonstrating urgent need are entitled to immediate free shelter.  The agreement also outlined clear guidelines regarding such families' treatment that will be binding until at least 2010.  In return, Legal Aid lawyers agreed to drop the more than 40 court orders that prescribed everything from where and when homeless families could sleep to whether bottle warmers and infant formula must be available at city intake offices.  In giving up court supervision, Legal Aid lets go of the extraordinary leverage it had over the city's Department of Homeless Services."

Tags: Housing, Legal Services Activities and Achievements