Throughout the month of July, the IAHC is championing #JulyHomelessRights, centering the work of homeless advocates Shams DeBaron and Maria Walles.
The month of July was chosen as symbolic because the Mayor is aiming to clear out hotels where homeless New Yorkers were sheltering by the end of July, and this is a time of accelerated street sweeps as well. While The City reported that DHS has only vaccinated 6,500 out of approximately 47,114 DHS clients, DHS will not be enforcing 6-foot spacing or upgrading ventilation systems in congregate shelters.
We’re asking the Mayor to do three things:
- Pause the transfers until there is a real safety plan in place, there is not an ongoing COVID threat, and every possible effort has been made to get people housing
- Immediately discontinue street sweep activity, and instead offer single hotel rooms to individuals living unsheltered
- Implement Intro 146 on an emergency basis, before any more transfers take place, and use the increased voucher amount to get people housing
A coalition of advocacy groups have scheduled a march to Gracie Mansion on July 10, 2021.
Get involved! Find out more information and view upcoming events and actions for #JulyHomelessRights