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. To find a legal clinic near you, please call 646-602-5600
or for a copy of our legal clinic schedule
click here.
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.
News and Events
Nourishing NYC:
Increasing Food Stamps Access in Immigrant Communities
On July 10, 2008, the Homelessness Outreach and Prevention Project of the Urban Justice Center, released a new report documenting barriers faced by immigrants in New York City attempting to access the Food Stamps Program and the success of outreach and assistance strategies in helping to overcome these barriers. Where nationally, eligible noncitizens were 23% less likely to participate, clients receiving the assistance from community-based organizations who were at risk for immigrant-specific barriers were 21% more likely to participate.
Williston v. Eggleston
In 2004, the Urban Justice Center filed this federal lawsuit against both New York City's Human Resources Administration (HRA) and New York State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) alleging a failure to timely provide food stamps, including expedited food stamps to eligible applicants at HRA's Non-Cash Assistance (NCA, formerly NPA) Food Stamp Centers. On April 17, 2008, the Court approved the settlement that had been negotiated by the parties. Under the terms of the settlement, HRA will: (1) screen all Food Stamp applications submitted to NCA Food Stamp Centers for eligibility for expedited processing; and (2) provide Food Stamps to eligible households within five days if eligible for expedited food stamp processing, and within thirty days if otherwise eligible, unless the delay was caused by the household. OTDA must supervise HRA's implementation of the federal timeliness requirements. Additionally, as part of the settlement, an individual relief process has been established. The Court will retain jurisdiction over the case for four years.
Co-counsel: New York Legal Assistance Group and National Center for Law and Economic Justice Project
Individual Relief Form
Individual Relief Summary
Settlement Notice
Complaint
Keeping Food on the Table:
Challenges to Food Stamps Retention in New York City
On September 6, 2007, the Homelessness Outreach and Prevention Project released a study showing that administrative hassles plaguing the food stamps application process create barriers to food stamps retention as well. Getting food stamps is only half the battle. New York needs to reform the recertification process to help eligible New Yorkers maintain their benefits.
Read the report
Read the press release
Most Recent Press
"A Surprise Bounty, Provided by a Food Stamp Lawsuit,"
New York Times,
November 27, 2008
"Court action puts food on the table,"
United Press International,
November 27, 2008
"Food Stamp Benefits to Increase,"
Epoch Times,
September 30, 2008
