The Homelessness Outreach and Prevention Project (HOPP) advocates for economic justice for low- and no-income New Yorkers by ensuring access to public benefits and government accountability for these programs using a multi-pronged approach of direct legal services, litigation, research and policy advocacy. At the heart of our work is protecting the due process right of New Yorkers to a hearing before the termination of public assistance. Unfortunately, one in five New Yorkers live below the federal poverty line and the system frequently violates their due process rights as they attempt to participate in government programs, leaving families and individuals without basic necessities such as food and housing. HOPP attorneys and advocates diligently work to hold the government accountable for their legal mandates so that low- and no-income New Yorkers have a real opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.

Direct Legal Services

HOPP's representation of individuals focuses on the enforcement of due process rights in the Cash Assistance, Food Stamp, and Medicaid programs. HOPP operates seven free and easily accessible walk-in legal clinics in food pantries and soup kitchens throughout New York City. HOPP also helps public assistance recipients seeking access to education programs through our legal clinic at Hostos Community College. HOPP's legal advocacy includes educating clients about their rights in the public benefits system and giving them the tools to advocate for themselves, advocating for them with the Human Resources Administration, representing clients at Fair Hearings, and filing Article 78 cases in New York State Supreme Court, when necessary. In addition, we prescreen individuals that do not receive food stamps to determine if they may be eligible as well as the amount of eligibility. To find a legal clinic near you, please call 646-602-5600 or for a copy of our legal clinic schedule click here.
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Litigation

When we discover systemic problems and ongoing failures of the government to abide by the rights of our clients, HOPP engages in litigation to ensure that the government fulfills its legal obligations. The direct services we provide to New Yorkers inform our litigation and we have represented thousands of New Yorkers in class action litigation, bringing lasting and systemic change. Recently, we have used litigation to ensure that low-income New Yorkers have due process in public benefits programs, and access to food stamps, post-secondary educational opportunities and affordable housing options. For more information on our current and past litigation activities click here.

Research and Policy

HOPP conducts research that examines current public benefits programs and promotes policy recommendations aimed at improving the delivery of public benefits and services to low-income families. HOPP also provides technical assistance on research initiatives conducted by other community groups. For more information on our research reports and policy advocacy work click here.