How Often Do Formerly Unhoused New Yorkers Relapse Into Homelessness?

How Many New Yorkers Relapse Into Homelessness

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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 factors that lead to homelessness initially will recur time and again throughout the healing process. These include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • The high cost of living 
  • Lack of affordable housing 
  • Psychiatric issues and substance use disorders 
  • Domestic violence 
  • Termination or alteration of government benefits or subsidies 
  • Loss of employment 
  • Health problems and resultant medical expenses
  • Natural disasters, fires and other accidents, and
  • Other factors not always in your control

How Many New Yorkers Fall Back Into Homelessness?

It wasn’t until recently that the New York City Comptroller’s Office began collating this information. As of August 2, 2025, an average of roughly three thousand people a month leave the city shelter system. [1] However, the city has categorized the status of 56 percent of those exits as “unknown.” [2] Furthermore, according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, one-third of people experiencing homelessness have repeated this unfortunate cycle more than once. Therefore, of those approximately 36,000 shelter exits a year, 12,000 are likely to return. 

How Do You Prevent New Yorkers From Relapsing Into Homelessness? 

In two previous blog posts, we have discussed how to prevent yourself from becoming homeless in the first place and the importance of permanent supportive housing. An individual can’t prevent homelessness by him- or herself: He or she will need the concerted efforts of their family, friends, communities and/or local, state and federal governments. 

Having people to rely on can keep you from becoming homeless, so don’t hesitate to reach out to Mentor A Promise and its network of partner organizations. 

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. 

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