Navigating Housing and Homelessness Laws in New York City.
A "Homeless Bill of Rights" that could become law in New York City aims to clarify legal issues for homeless people, including whether they can camp outdoors. While there is no law that bans sleeping outdoors in New York City, there are plenty of rules that limit what's allowed. The bill's sponsor, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, said that his bill does not create any new rights; it just compiles existing ones in one easy-to-find place. The bill requires the city's Department of Homeless Services to inform homeless people of 10 rights, including the right to sleep outside.