The State of Homelessness in NYC

Dear New Yorkers,

Homelessness is a national problem that has reached a crisis level in New York City. If you live here, you encounter this reality every day. On the subway, on the street, at school, and at work, we interact with colleagues, friends, and neighbors who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness. Everyone wants a safe home where they can rest their head at night, and everyone wants to experience the enormous possibilities of living in the greatest city in the world. But, for approximately 80,000 of our fellow New Yorkers, realizing those possibilities is complicated by the experience of homelessness.

We can no longer simply accept this reality. It requires urgent action. Unfortunately, our federal and state governments have failed to fulfill the roles they should play in alleviating poverty. While we must continue to raise our voices and advocate that they meet their responsibilities to all of us, we, as a City, must act.

We need to take immediate steps to provide appropriate services and supports that enable people to exit homeless shelters more quickly and easily, or avoid them in the first place. We need to equip all street outreach teams with the tools and flexibility to bring unsheltered individuals inside. We also need a long-term vision that shifts resources to permanent, affordable housing and reduces the number of people who are homeless.

Over the past year and a half, the City Council has engaged with a multitude of stakeholders and advocates. Their perspectives have been invaluable and have allowed us to develop the set of recommendations contained in this report. We want to thank each person who has shared their insights and experience with us. The development of this paper has been a team effort, and it is that kind of collaboration that is essential to moving this work forward.

Sincerely,

Corey Johnson
Speaker

Stephen Levin
Chair, General Welfare Committee

Prevention

Prevention focuses on concrete steps the City and State can take to provide supports for individuals and families who are at risk of homelessness, so that they can avoid the shelter system altogether and remain in permanent, affordable housing.

Data Source
 HUD Fair Market Rents

Increase Pathways to Permanent Housing

Increase Pathways to Permanent, Affordable Housing focuses on concrete steps the City and State can take to create opportunities for individuals and families who are homeless to move out of City shelters and into permanent, affordable housing.

Data Source
 FY18-19 Mayor’s Management Report (MMR) & Law 37 Monthly Temporary Housing Report

Data Source
 NYC DHS Hope Counts; Bronx Health & Housing Consortium Hospital Homeless Count; NYC DYCD & CIDI Homeless Youth Count

Support Our Sheltered Neighbors

Support Our Sheltered Neighbors focuses on concrete steps the City and State can take to improve the City’s shelter system and the services provided to those experiencing homelessness, to help them stabilize; secure permanent, affordable housing; and, ultimately, exit shelter.

Monthly Average DHS Shelter Entries, by Community District

Past 12 months, live updates

Data Sources
 Homeless Shelter Entries
 Homeless Shelters

Integrate Housing and Homelessness Policy focuses on concrete steps the City can take to ensure a comprehensive, inter-agency response to prioritize permanent, affordable housing and address the homelessness crisis.

This report reflects on the policy decisions that created the current landscape of homelessness, identifies the areas in need of reform, and sets forth a long-term vision that puts homelessness and housing at the center of policymaking in the city.

Within the key strategy areas noted above, it includes almost 90 recommendations to reform the current system and address the homelessness crisis.