Over a hundred thousand individuals and children find themselves in the New York City shelter system every year. In addition to the stress and emotional toll that’s caused by homelessness, these individuals must also navigate the daily challenges and requirements of shelter living and are often vulnerable to unjust treatment from shelter staff and unsuitable living conditions.
CUP teamed up with the Safety Net Project of the Urban Justice Center, and design studio 13 milliseconds to create a foldout poster that breaks down people’s rights in homeless shelters and the different programs available to help them leave shelter and find affordable permanent housing. It also provides resources on other services shelter residents may have access to, like transportation benefits and storage grants, and what to do when your rights have been violated.
Safety Net Project staff, volunteers, and CUP staff launched From Shelter to Apartment with a day of outreach where the guide was distributed at food pantries, libraries, and shelters throughout New York City. The Safety Net Project continues to distribute the poster at different shelters through their Safety Net Activists (a group of members who are currently or formerly living in shelter) and their network of partner organizations who are also working with homeless New Yorkers, and at their weekly legal clinics.
CUP and the Safety Net Project worked together in 2020 to adapt this project into Spanish. You can get your copy here!