Cravath Helps Secure Policy Change Through NYC Department of Homeless Services to Shelter Families in Need
June 27, 2023
On May 15, 2023, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (“DHS”) implemented a policy change, DHS‑PB‑2023‑006, altering the eligibility process for families seeking to stay in homeless shelters and ensuring such families are not turned away from shelter in a time of need. Cravath, working on a pro bono basis, partnered with the New York Legal Assistance Group to help secure this change, which followed a formal complaint, a demand letter shared with New York City and State officials and years of negotiation.
The new policy reverses a previous practice whereby families could be denied shelter under the pretense that they could stay with a third party, such as a distant relative or acquaintance, even if that third party refused to house the family and DHS was aware of such refusal. The policy change implemented will help families become eligible for shelter more quickly, which creates additional eligibility for rental subsidies that would facilitate their transition to permanent housing.
The Cravath team was led by partners Michael A. Paskin and Lauren M. Rosenberg.
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J.D., 1995, Fordham University School of Law
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B.A., 1992, University of Pennsylvaniacum laude
- New York
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J.D., 2011, Columbia Law SchoolHarlan Fiske Stone Scholar
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B.A., 2008, University of PennsylvaniaPhi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude
- New York
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