CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org

VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS MAYOR MAMDANI’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO EXPAND PUBLIC RESTROOMS ACROSS NYC

Expansion Marks Win for the #FreeToPee Campaign Started by Picture the Homeless

Restricting Access to Public Restrooms is a Quality-Of-Life Issue Often Used to Criminalize Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

NEW YORK — Today, in response to Mayor Mamdani’s announcement to commit $4 million creating 20 to 30 new public toilets, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to VOCAL-NY Homelessness Union Leader, Althea Matthews:

“We thank Mayor Mamdani for taking this step, as this has long been an issue and a fight for homeless New Yorkers. Council Members Sandy Nurse and Rita Joseph, along with numerous other advocates throughout many years, have made sure that this problem is recognized.

For New Yorkers with or without housing, the dignity of accessing public restrooms is important. This is a good first step to reach the number we need. To provide safety and to avoid health issues and tickets– it is a need!”

BACKGROUND: 

Access to public restrooms makes for healthier and cleaner communities. Yet, there is only 1 public restroom per 7,500 residents in New York, and only two are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city’s restriction of access to public restrooms is a quality-of-life issue that has historically been used to criminalize individuals experiencing homelessness. As a result, this act of discrimination against unsheltered people continues to impact all facets of humanity and community. 

Last year, the New York City Council passed Int. 694-A, which requires that the city double its number of public restrooms by the year 2035. The council also passed Int. 576, which requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to report on the conditions and functionality of NYC’s public restrooms under its jurisdiction and publicize this data via an online portal.

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