Over a hundred thousand individuals and families 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 unfair 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.
In 2020, CUP worked with the Safety Net Project again to adapt this guide into Spanish. You can find that here.