“Homeless encampment sweeps are ineffective, they are costly and they don’t actually solve the problem of homeless,” said Jeremy Saunders, an executive director of VOCAL-NY. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/n...

"We got the promise of how this is going to be a new era in City Hall, but it feels like the mayor is replicating similar failures from previous administrations in not really being bold and centering solutions," said Adolfo Abreu of @vocal-ny.bsky.social citylimits.org/honor-his-pr...

Today we released an Emergency Response Plan for @governor.ny.gov, the exec branch, and mayors across NYS to end homelessness. We’ve got the solutions to stop the senseless deaths like we saw from Storm Fern - now we need the political will and funding. www.vocal-ny.org/wp-content/u...

Our tax dollars should fund housing and healthcare, not detention camps. The No Federal Funding for Homeless Detention Camps campaign is working to prevent elected officials from using homelessness funding for jails and detention centers. Add your voice here! www.votervoice.net/NHLC/campaig...

@handsoffnyc.bsky.social EMERGENCY PROTEST TODAY. ICE just murdered another person in Minneapolis. Union Square. 4PM.

@handsoffnyc.bsky.social EMERGENCY PROTEST TODAY. ICE just murdered another person in Minneapolis. Union Square. 4PM.

A win for #FreetoPee! Over the weekend, @mayor.nyc.gov announced an expansion of public restrooms in NYC. Everyone deserves the access to the bathroom - especially though without living on the streets. See our statement here: www.vocal-ny.org/press-statem...

Good news! Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social committed to enacting Local Law 42 and ending solitary confinement in NYC jails. As Civil Rights Union leader, Roger, shares in a statement: "Solitary confinement is torture and must end." vocal-ny.com/uek

Just keeps happening. A family calls 911 for help during a dispute. NYPD arrives and kills someone. The police should not be first responders to calls for mental heath distress. They cannot effectively mitigate these types of issues. www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/21/n...

"Sweeps as an approach to homelessness is just wasting millions of dollars moving people out of sight and out of mind, so I’m looking forward to seeing this new administration prioritizing housing and services instead.” www.vocal-ny.org/press-statem...

Arresting or fining people who can’t afford housing is cruel AND ineffective. It does nothing to solve homelessness, OR to decrease the number of ppl sleeping on trains. This is @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social promising NYers REAL SOLUTIONS! This is what leadership and good governance looks like

NEW: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said Thursday he will not continue sweeps of homeless encampments — which city data shows have not yielded any permanent or supportive-housing referrals in more than a year. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/04/m...

"CPS should not be a weapon against us, but utilized only after prevention & intervention services have been exhausted." — Elaine Smith, a parent who experienced family policing. Read her op-ed here on investing budget funding into families, not surveillance: rochesterbeacon.com/2025/12/04/m...

Police sexual violence is an insidious problem impacting NYers across all communities. Our new report with CUNY Graduate Center’s Public Science Project exposes how police sexual violence is one of the largest threats to public safety in NYC. Learn more at bit.ly/psvinnyc

NEW Blueprint to End Deadly NYC Jails Crisis: 1. ⬇️Incarceration 2. End Solitary 3. ⬆️Medical/Mental Health Care 4. Divert People 5. Close Rikers 6. ⬆️Programs 7. ⬆️Standards 8. Protect Young People 9. Protect Women & LGBTQIA+ People 10. 🛑Crises Statewide nycaic.org/wp-content/u...

Low-income New Yorkers are not part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's affordability agenda. She's cutting programs we rely on, and her tax rebate is sending checks to everybody but us! Trump gets $200 million, wealthy New Yorkers get up to $400 & poorest New Yorkers get zip. www.vocal-ny.org/press-statem...

Today we joined 100+ organizations with a message for Trump: Hands Off NYC! We pledge to organize together, build local power, and stand in solidarity with every city facing military intervention. Our cities and our people are our greatest strength.

Still feeling the love after another amazing Gala for Justice, Compassion & Love. Ain't no party like a VOCAL-NY party! Didn't get a chance to attend? You can still support are work here: give.vocal-ny.org/give/699630/...

As of September, 91 people have died in NYS prisons this year alone. Claims from the Governor of understaffing and clear overpopulation in prisons has a logical solution: release those languishing in prison due to over sentencing, continuous denial of parole, and wrongful convictions!

We're outside @governor.ny.gov's Manhattan Office w/ @rappcampaign.bsky.social and the People's Campaign for Parole Justice to demand she use her executive powers to grant clemency to people in prison!

Today, we are standing with the family of Win Rozario and @justicecommittee.bsky.social to demand NYPD Commissioner Tisch fire the cops who killed him. No obstruction, no delays!

Congress has already cut SNAP and Medicaid — now they’re setting their sights on housing and homeless assistance. These programs keep people housed and alive! More cuts will push more people into homelessness. #StopTheFederalCuts Contact your rep today: endhomelessness.org/action/act-n...

New Op-Ed for International Overdose Awareness Day 💜 “In the face of federal cuts, Albany can — and must — reconvene a special session…Instead, the next wave of preventable overdose deaths is being set in motion by people in power, including Hochul.” www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/31/g...

NEW REPORT: @nycibo.bsky.social shows that NYC has a variety of programs to help those dealing with homelessness, mental health complexities, or drug use. But do people know how to access these programs? Are these programs working with each other? Statement here: vocal-ny.com/f19d41

Nick Encalada-Malinowski with VOCAL-NY said the Adams administration hasn’t been addressing housing issues but instead using NYPD to solve a wider and wider array of problems much like “ if you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” gothamist.com/news/this-is...

“The Medicaid cuts will be devastating to our ability to continue to downward turn the overdose crisis,” said Jasmine Budnella, VOCAL-NY director of drug policy. “Medicaid is the single largest payer of substance use disorder treatment. amsterdamnews.com/news/2025/07...

Everyday, all day and forever - Carl Stubbs Way!

Last week, another man died in DOC custody. That's the 41st reported death under Department of Corrections custody in NYC jails since Mayor Adams took office. We can't prevent these deaths & get accountability if we don't know about them! It's time to change that. www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/11/c...

Some good news for NYC CityFHEPS Voucher holders! “This is the time for us to engage in implementation, and talk about who are the populations that we’re serving,” Abreu said. “Instead of just saying simply ‘no,’ we can provide support.” citylimits.org/mayor-must-i...

"On Friday, Tisch disappointed anyone who bought that, going against the recommendations of both the Civilian Complaint Review Board and an NYPD judge, and declining to fire Lieutenant Jonathan Rivera, who killed Allan Feliz during a traffic stop in 2019." hellgatenyc.com/allan-feliz-...

Happy Heavenly Birthday, #WinRozario, from the Bell family. #WinShouldBe21 @NYPDPC @NYCMayor @NewYorkStateAG: Prosecute and #FireAlongi #FireCianfrocco!

Win should be with us today. Join us tomorrow in wishing him a happy heavenly birthday and calling for accountability from the NYPD.

Thank you to @jayapal.house.gov and @maxwellfrost.bsky.social for introducing the #HousingNotHandcuffs legislation in Congress today! Click here to send a message to lawmakers to pass this important legislation! www.votervoice.net/NHLC/campaig...

NYC budget decisions are happening right now and trans & queer lives need funding! We’re calling on NYC Council to include in the FY26 budget: ✅ $15M for Gender-Affirming Care ✅ $10M for Unhoused Youth ✅ $10M for the Trans Equity Fund Email the your councilmember today: bit.ly/NYCtrans

NEW REPORT: Today, VOCAL-NY and @takerootnyc.bsky.social released “Wi-Fi For All: The Need for Wi-fi Access in NYC’s Shelter System." What we found out: individuals in single adult NYC shelters are struggling to access the internet, which impacts their well-being, housing, and job opportunities.

Dedicated to ending homelessness across New York? VOCAL-NY is hiring for a new Housing Campaigns Manager! Come join our team and work with incredible leaders who have been impacted by homelessness in all forms. Apply at the link here: www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit...

The Civil Rights Union is up in Albany today to support these bills to end mass incarceration across New York: 🔵 The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act (S6319 & A7422) 🔵 Elder Parole (S454/A514) and Fair & Timely Parole (S159/A127) 🔵 Earned Time (S342/A1085) and Second Look (S158/A1283)

Join our team!! We're hiring for a Drug Policy Coordinator to work with VOCAL-NY's User Union and support the leadership of people impacted by the failed War on Drugs. Think you or someone you know is a good fit? Apply here: www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit...

Join us for our Welcome to VOCAL-NY Happy Hour on Tuesday, 5/27, 5:30-6:30 PM at Threes Brewing, 333 Douglass St., Brooklyn. Come learn more about VOCAL-NY and connect with other friends and allies. Questions/RSVP: [email protected].

Long overdue! After years of fighting, the NYS legislature voted to fund the Housing Access Voucher Program by $50mil/year for the next 4 years. Thank you to Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Cousins, Senator Kavanagh, and Assemblymember Rosenthal for championing this vital program!

New op-ed from our partners at PUSH Buffalo and Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project! @governor.ny.gov: Communities all across NY need housing now, and substantial funding for the Housing Access Voucher Program could make that happen! buffalonews.com/opinion/arti...

“This is the first time that we have seen some type of light,” said Althea Matthews, a member of the advocacy group VOCAL-NY. “There are just too many people facing homelessness, not just in New York City, but in all of New York State.” gothamist.com/news/gov-hoc...

Today, we're up in Albany with the #EndQINY coalition to pass S176/A1402, which would ensure public officials are held to the same standard as all New Yorkers. Nearly 2/3 of NYers support eliminating qualified immunity. It's time for our legislators to listen! #SafeguardOurCivilRights

Every day, families lose loved ones to overdose. In honor of their lives, families are urging Trump & Congress to prioritize health-based solutions that save lives & provide the care people urgently need. Sign to join them & demand health over punishment: engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/famil...

Susan's son, Tyler, sought help for his addiction. Many barriers were put in the way like being blocked from treatment and medication due to stigma and denial by insurance. Now families like Susan’s are demanding health solutions to save lives. Join them: engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/famil...

NYC showing up! We need real solutions to homelessness, like housing and healthcare. Encampment sweeps, involuntary commitments, & shelter sanctions policy DON'T WORK. The NYPD's new "Quality of Life" division won't help if there's no resources or housing for people. Enough with the half measures!

Happening today: We've got actions happening in NYC and Rochester today to demand Housing Now! We need housing - not handcuffs and jails. New Yorkers are struggling to pay rent and find housing, yet Congress is considering cutting vital social services? That ain't right!

🤦 Cuomo is a wholly owned subsidiary of your landlord. He’s the biggest reason NYC is struggling. Cuomo => rent hikes & homelessness PS Cuomo’s image of competence is a lie. He’s grossly incompetent and corrupt. His record stinks.

More highways? In this economy? Our bill aims to "benefit small municipalities to meet their climate and transit goals, bolstering communities that are near-impossible to traverse without a car." www.timesunion.com/state/articl...