National Housing Law Project Housing Law Bulletin

With the nation's 62-year-old welfare system coming to an end, the ACLU announces the publication of a timely, comprehensive and up-to-date account of the rights of the poor. The latest in the ACLU's series of handbooks, THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR is published at a time when it is more important than ever for disadvantaged members of society to know their rights under the law.

Written in an easy to understand question-and-answer format, this book is an essential tool for poor people and their advocates, as well as for anyone interested in the contemporary status of the new "War on Poverty." It explains how to use the law to obtain the services necessary for basic living: income support, food assistance, health care, housing and education. The book describes how poor people can participate more fully in community and political life. It also examines the rights of poor people in public places: the right to speak out, to use parks and libraries, to be free from exclusionary policies directed against them.

THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR explains how poor persons can use the court system to enforce their rights. The authors discuss the right to vote and run for office, encouraging poor people and their advocates to participate more actively in national and grassroots politics.

The book is co-authored by two distinguished legal scholars and experts on poverty issues. Helen Hershkoff is an assistant professor of law at the New York University Law School, former associate director of the ACLU, and member of the Board of Directors at the Urban Justice Center in New York City and the Food Research and Action Center in Washington, D.C. Stephen Loffredo is an associate professor of law at the City University of New York Law School, former executive director of Main Street Legal Services, CUNY Law School, pro bono counsel and member of the Board of Directors at the Urban Justice Center in New York City.

THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR: THE AUTHORITATIVE ACLU GUIDE TO POOR PEOPLE'S RIGHTS (July 1997), ISBN No. 0-8093-1928-4, 480 pp., $9.95, paperback, plus $3.00 postage and handling (prepaid, Visa or Mastercard). Published by Southern Illinois University Press.

For information about ordering a copy, please contact Rozella Kennedy at the ACLU at (212) 549-2560; fax (212) 549-2646, or write them at ACLU Publications, P.O. Box 186, Wye Mills, MD 21679.