Facts About Homelessness

NYC Homelessness in 2007:
  • More New Yorkers experienced homelessness
  • Homelessness continues at near-record levels
  • 2007: Worst year for NYC family homelessness since the Great Depression

    • The Numbers – More New Yorkers Experienced Homelessness in 2007, Homeless Population Still High
  • Last year, 102,187 different New Yorkers slept in homeless shelters, 5.8 percent more than the previous year and 23.4 percent more than six years ago.
  • The NYC homeless shelter population remained at near-record levels, with around 35,000 people in shelters each night.
  • 2007 was the worst year for family homelessness in modern history, with more than 9,000 families in shelters each night.

    • Perfect Storm in 2007:
  • 10.7 percent more NYC families entered the municipal shelter system.
  • 6.9 percent fewer homeless families were relocated from shelter to permanent housing.

    • Highlights of the Year in Homelessness
  • More NYC families seeking shelter, fewer homeless families moved to permanent housing.
  • Bloomberg administration finally abandons “Housing Stability Plus” program – but replaces it with flawed “Work Advantage” program and still denies Federal housing aid to homeless families and individuals.
  • City increases use of illegal boarding houses to shelter homeless adults, including many living with mental illness.

    • Data thanks to the Coalition of the Homeless' 2008 State of the Homeless Report
    Thousands of people may live in a community but it is not one of real fellowship until they know each other mutually and have sympathy for one another. A true community has faith and wisdom that illuminate it. It is a place where the people know and trust one another and where there is social harmony.
    From Mahaparinirvana-Sutra
    The Ancient Rabbis of the Talmud taught: "People who live in hovels are like nomads wandering through the desert, for they cannot feel confident they will live another day." Said one Rabbi: living in a hovel is like living in your own grave"
    Babylonian Talmud Eruvin 55b