Who is Homeless in New York?

Jul 26, 2023By Arielle Zappia

Over the course of 2022:

  • 102,656 individuals experiencing homelessness slept in the New York City Department of Homeless Services shelter system.
  • 29,653 of which were children.

December 2022 Snapshot

  • 68,884 individuals experiencing homelessness in New York.
  • 21,805 of which were children.
  • 22,720 of which were sleeping overnight in shelters.

Trend Analysis

  • 39% increase in people sleeping each night in municipal shelters in the past 10 years.
  • 112% increase in single adults experiencing homelessness in the past 10 years.

Primary Causes of Homelessness in New York

  • Lack of affordable housing
  • Overcrowded housing
  • Dangerous housing conditions
  • Eviction
  • Domestic violence
  • Job loss