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OUR HOMELESS CRISIS
HOMELESSNESS HAS ONLY EXACERBATED
In 2010, after the effects of the housing crisis, New York City's homeless population was 50,000. At the beginning of 2020, our homeless population is 80,000 individuals.
Now that COVID has ravaged through the health of New Yorkers and created a devastating economic crisis, resources have been stretched thin and that number is only going to increase.
SEEING THE CRISIS
100,000
More than 100,000 NYC children attending public school are homeless and do not have permanent housing. That is 1 in 10 children in our public schools. A number that is predicted to be undercounted.
$73,000
The price of housing the homeless costs more now than ever before. In 2017, the cost to house a homeless family in an emergency shelter was $73,000. For a single individual, the cost was $38,000.
4,000
In 2019, the number of homeless individuals sleeping on New York City's streets was about 4,000. Another statistics that is said to be undercounted. Most of these individuals are considered chronically homeless, meaning they've spent more than a year unhoused with a disabling condition such as a mental illness, substance abuse, or physical disability.
LARGEST CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS
LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The first leading cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. Clearly if having a place to live is too expensive for Americans then it will leave many without the ability to pay for their own housing.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Obviously, without a source of income unemployment will be linked to homelessness. Without anywhere to go to improve their financial state, many end up homeless.
MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE
An estimated 250,000 people with illness are experiencing homelessness. With a lack of mental health support in our country, it is the third leading cause of homelessness.
WHAT MUST BE DONE
Changing the Tide
HOLISTIC APPROACH
A holistic approach must be taken to adequately deal with homelessness. Those who have substance abuse issues or mental health issues must not only be placed into housing first, but must be given time to accept mental health support and deal with their substance addictions to one day become functioning members of society.
HOUSING FIRST
Becoming rent burdened is a national issue. Rent burdened means spending more than 30% of your income on rent.
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A major focus in ending homelessness must be placed on prevention. Rent support programs can make sure that individuals are not ending up homeless in the first place.
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That is why Housing Hearts has a primary focus on getting people into housing and making sure that individuals that are on the brink of homelessness end up with rental support programs ra
Get in touch today and get involved with our cause.