Nassau County DSS operates a right-to-shelter system providing emergency placement within twenty-four hours for eligible homeless families and adults. Nonprofits including the INN, Family Service League, and Long Island Council of Churches operate transitional and bridge housing programs across the county.
Under the New York State Constitution Article XVII and the Callahan v. Carey consent decree extended through state policy, Nassau County DSS must provide emergency shelter to any eligible homeless adult or family within 24 hours of intake. Nassau emergency placements use motels, transitional family residences, and DSS-operated shelters. Bridge-housing capacity is run by The INN in Hempstead, Family Service League across Long Island, the Long Island Council of Churches CoC partners, and Concern for Independent Living. Beds in church-run cold-weather warming shelters expand from November through April. Coordinated entry through LICH connects clients to permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing.
Failure to provide emergency shelter within 24 hours of an eligible request can be challenged in NY Supreme Court Article 78 proceedings, with mandamus orders compelling placement and possible attorney-fee recovery for prevailing tenants.
Nassau County, NY
Nassau County is not a formal sanctuary jurisdiction. It cooperates with federal immigration authorities to varying degrees, while New York State's Trust Act...
Nassau County, NY
Nassau workers are covered by New York's statewide Paid Family Leave program (NY WCL §200 et seq.), Earned Sick Leave law (NY Lab §196-b), and the HERO Act f...
Nassau County, NY
Nassau County may not set a local minimum wage above the state floor; New York preempts the field. The downstate minimum wage applicable in Nassau is $16.50 ...
Nassau County, NY
Nassau County has no hotel-specific living wage law. Hotel workers are covered by New York State's downstate minimum wage of $16.50, plus state paid family l...
Nassau County, NY
Nassau County does not impose its own hotel worker retention ordinance like New York City or Los Angeles. Hotel labor relations remain governed by federal NL...
Nassau County, NY
Nassau County imposes a hotel and motel occupancy tax of approximately five percent on top of New York State's four percent sales tax, producing a combined r...
See how Nassau County's bridge housing siting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.