Skip to main content

How Do People Become Homeless in New York?

How People Become Homeless in New York City

 Photo Credit: Lumos Maxima - stock.adobe.com 

Many myths persist about homelessness and those who experience it. Some of the most pernicious are in service to the lie that only certain types of people, for one reason or another, will lose stable housing. While some groups and individuals are more prone to being homeless, the truth is that anyone, under the just the wrong set of circumstances, could find themselves without a safe, reliable place to live. This blog post will examine how people become homeless in New York City, who is most susceptible to this condition and how one might work their way back from the brink. 

How Does A New Yorker Become Homeless? 

Although New York City consistently ranks as one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, unaffordability is only one of the many causes of homelessness. As discussed in a previous blog post, domestic violence is responsible for approximately 40 percent of cases within the city shelter system. In all likelihood, even more homeless survivors of domestic violence reside unrecorded in places not zoned for human habitation. 

Some other common ways for people to become homeless include: 

  • Losing a job 
  • Destruction of housing, such as fires, floods and other disasters
  • Accumulation of medical bills and/or debt
  • Losing section 8 housing or other housing vouchers 

Who Is Most Susceptible to Becoming Homeless in New York? 

As the previous section illustrates, practically anyone, through little to no fault of their own, could become homeless. Your company may downsize and lay you off. A careless neighbor may improperly store a lithium battery. You may get sick and medical debt piles up. Government policy may change and you are no longer eligible for certain benefits.  All of which can and do lead to homelessness.

That said, according to data compiled by the New York State Comptroller in a report released in January of this year, some of the most vulnerable people include: 

  • Victims of domestic violence 
  • Families 
  • Hispanic people and Latinos
  • Women 
  • Black people
  • Minors 
  • The severely mentally ill 
  • Chronic substance abusers 
  • Veterans 
  • Members of the LGBTQ+ community 

How Do You Prevent People From Becoming Homeless?

As mentioned above, there are many reasons why someone might become homeless, many of them entirely beyond that person’s control. However, you are not completely at the mercy of Fate. First and foremost, you should build a safety net consisting of reliable family members, loved ones, churches and/or community groups. [1] Next, you should educate yourself regarding government assistance programs, your rights and other protections you may be entitled to if the worst comes to pass. [Ibid.]

Those facing possible homelessness have many resources available through all levels of government as well as through nonprofit organizations. A great place to start is New York’s Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA), reachable through this link or by calling the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399. 

In addition to cash assistance, those facing eviction, harassment, disrepair and other housing-related issues may contact HPA’s Office of Civil Justice for free legal representation, advice and other legal assistance. For more information, click here. 

For those experiencing homelessness as well as those wishing to help their fellow New Yorkers, Mentor A Promise and its network of partner organizations are an invaluable resource. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can Art Heal Homeless New Yorkers?

Photo Credit: BillionPhotos.com - stock.adobe.com Writers and thinkers from Yuvi Noah Harari, author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , to Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series, have posited the theory that homo sapiens survived prehistory while other human species went extinct due to our species’ ability to tell stories and engage in other artistic forms. This blog post will discuss how Art can heal homeless New Yorkers as well as where they may express themselves.  Does Art Have Healing Properties for Homeless New Yorkers?  With all the threats facing humanity, Art can seem like a luxury. However, throughout human history, Art has brought solace, toppled tyrants and given voice to the voiceless. Free expression is every bit as critical to our survival as nourishing food, clean water, suitable clothing and a safe, reliable place to lay our heads at night. This applies even to those experiencing homelessness.  How Does Art Heal Homeless New Yorkers? Aside ...
1 comment
Read more

How Often Do Formerly Unhoused New Yorkers Relapse Into Homelessness?

Photo Credit: FollowTheFlow - stock.adobe.com  To most outside observers, regaining safe, reliable housing seems like the end of the story. However, to continue to belabor this metaphor, this positive development is only the close of one chapter in a much longer narrative. Remaining healthy and housed is a neverending struggle. As such, many of those without the proper support network are at risk of returning to the streets and/or shelters. This blog post will discuss how often formerly unhoused New Yorkers relapse into homelessness, why this might happen and what can be done to prevent this.  Why Do New Yorkers Relapse Into Homelessness?  Homelessness, like many other chronic conditions, is akin to a disease, not a moral failing. Just as those struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction may relapse multiple times before treatment takes hold, homelessness is a cycle. This is especially true if the underlying traumas are not adequately addressed. As such, many of the same...
1 comment
Read more

Summertime Hunger Among Homeless New York Children

Photo Credit: SerPhoto - stock.adobe.com For many children, summer break is a time of excitement and exploration, free from the demands of school and extracurricular activities. But for the less fortunate children of New York City and elsewhere, the summer is a period of anxiety and deprivation. Without the breakfasts and lunches provided to them by their schools, these children will experience food insecurity and, yes, even hunger. This blog post will discuss summertime hunger among homeless New York City children, its prevalence, its impact on developing minds and bodies and how we can assist this vulnerable population.  How Common Is Summertime Hunger Among Homeless Children in New York City?  Before we delve into the numbers, the authors of this blog post would like to state that hunger is not exclusive to the summer months, nor is it constrained merely to young people who lack a safe, reliable place to sleep at night. Indeed, many New Yorkers from low income families expe...
1 comment
Read more