Brigette Honaker  |  December 2, 2020

Category: Legal News

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A homeless young man sits on a sidewalk with his legs inside an orange sleeping bag - homeless youth

New York City has agreed to a settlement that will change how the city supports homeless youth, putting an end to class action lawsuit claims.

Under the terms of the settlement, New York City has agreed to expand and improve its programs for homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 20. This non-monetary relief will take several forms, all sharing the common goal of providing more support to New York’s homeless youth.

One aspect of the class action settlement involves prioritizing youth residential beds to 16- and 17-year-old homeless people who request these beds. Since the lawsuit was first filed in 2013, the city has expanded its number of youth-specific shelter beds from 253 to 750.

The class action settlement also promises to assess the need for additional youth beds and add any beds needed. This aspect of the settlement includes a promise by the city to provide enough money to maintain the current number of youth program beds for as long as there is a reasonable demand.

Mental health will also be addressed under the settlement terms, with youth residential programs providing mental-health services with homeless young people who need this support.

Under the terms of the settlement, residents of homeless youth programs will be able to challenge decisions by the city that result in them being unfairly discharged from facilities. This aims to prevent homeless young people from falling through the cracks of these programs.

Parts of the class action settlement are broader, requiring Department of Homeless Services training and notices about the youth residential programs so homeless young people in the city have the knowledge to seek support.

“We are very pleased to have an approved settlement that will establish system-changing relief to some of New York City’s most vulnerable youth,” plaintiff’s counsel said in a statement to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

“We are infinitely grateful to our eleven named plaintiffs who bravely came forward to better the lives of thousands of other runaway and homeless youth.”

The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit in 2013, challenging New York City’s handling of homeless people between the ages of 16 and 20.

A homeless young man in a hoodie with a rucksack on his back - homeless youth

According to a 2008 report, there are around 3,800 homeless young people in New York City each night. Some have been rejected by their families due to their LGBTQ status, while others aim to escape abuse or neglect. Further homeless youth may be struggling with mental-health issues.

Despite the thousands of young homeless people in New York City, the city’s authorities have allegedly denied these people shelter due to a lack of beds.

Instead of being provided with shelter and other support, these youths are reportedly put on waiting lists that have hundreds of names on them.

Even if these homeless people manage to secure shelter, they are limited to staying in a city youth crisis shelter for only 30 days.

As a result, New York’s homeless youth are allegedly forced to live on the street where they can be injured or get sick.

In some cases, homeless youth may be victims of violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking. Due to this hardship, homeless youth may find it difficult to maintain a job or enroll in school.

Unfortunately, suicide is the leading cause of death for New York City’s homeless youth. Estimates reportedly say that one in every four homeless youth in the city will attempt suicide.

New York City has allegedly failed to solve this problem despite being aware of the issue.

“Living on the street exposes homeless youth to grave and irreparable harm,” the class action lawsuit claimed. “The City is aware of the harm faced by homeless plaintiffs.”

According to the homeless youth, these actions — or inaction — by New York City violated federal law, New York’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1978 and the New York City Human Rights Law. The city has not admitted any wrongdoing under these and other laws by settling the case against it.

Do you know how your city supports homeless youth? What are your thoughts on this settlement deal? Let us know in the comment section below.

The homeless youth are represented by Steven Banks, Judith Goldiner, Kimberly Forte, Lisa Freeman, Theresa Moser and Beth Hofmeister of the Legal Aid Society; and by Lisa E. Cleary, Jason S. Gould, Muhammad U. Faridi, Catherine Geddes, Jane Metcalf and Alanna Small of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP.

The Brooklyn Homeless Youth Class Action Lawsuit is C.W., et al. v. The City of New York, Case No. 1:13-cv-07376-PK, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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One thought on New York City Agrees to Homeless Youth Support Class Action Settlement

  1. Robert Goudin says:

    Add me please

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