The Coalition’s annual report provides an overview of homelessness in New York City. Recent reports have analyzed the dramatic increases in New York City’s homeless shelter population and outlined proven solutions.
Coalition for the Homeless’ State of the Homeless 2024 report, titled Rights Under Attack, Leadership in Retreat reflects on the City’s and the State’s failing leadership efforts; revealing Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul’s actions as directly contrasting their obligations as outlined in Article 17 of the New York state constitution.
Coalition for the Homeless’ State of the Homeless 2023 report, titled Compounding Crises, Failed Responses evaluates the City’s and the State’s efforts to meet the needs of unsheltered New Yorkers; provide safe, appropriate, and accessible shelter to homeless households; and provide access to permanent affordable housing.
The Coalition for the Homeless’ State of the Homeless 2022 report, New York at a Crossroads, provides a comprehensive look at the causes of – and solutions to – homelessness in New York as the city works to recover from the pandemic and the vulnerability of our unsheltered neighbors has tragically become even more clear.
Read the report here. Download the complete report here.
The Coalition for the Homeless’ State of the Homeless 2021 report, Housing is Health Care, A Lesson for the Ages, provides a comprehensive look at homelessness in New York City during a year of crisis that has forever changed the landscape of our city. The report comes 40 years after the right to shelter was first established in New York City with the signing of the Callahan Consent Decree in 1981.
The 2020 report analyzes the institutional forces that drive record homelessness, highlights the plight of those sleeping unsheltered on the streets and in the subways, and illustrates how the City’s bureaucratic shelter application process for homeless families may actually conceal the true scope of family homelessness in New York. As in past years, State of the Homeless includes a “report card” that grades the State and City on their respective efforts to prevent homelessness, provide housing vouchers, produce affordable and supportive housing, and meet the needs of homeless individuals and families sleeping in shelters or staying on the streets and subways. The report evaluates these and other key policy areas that impact homeless New Yorkers.
The 2019 report finds that policy failures by the City and State have exacerbated the decades-long homelessness crisis stemming from New York’s severe lack of affordable housing. The report gives Mayor de Blasio a failing grade on his efforts to create sufficient housing for homeless New Yorkers and Governor Cuomo multiple failing grades on housing vouchers, homelessness prevention, and systematic cost-shifting practices that unduly burden the City. To assist the Mayor and Governor in raising their grades, the State of the Homeless 2019 outlines tools the City and State have at their disposal to reduce the number of homeless families and individuals, while also improving conditions in shelters.
The 2018 report finds that policy failures by the City and State have exacerbated the decades-long homelessness crisis stemming from New York’s severe lack of affordable housing. An average of 63,495 men, women, and children sleeping in City shelters each night at the end 2017 – an all-time record. The report outlines tools the City and State have at their disposal to meaningfully address this crisis, with a robust commitment to new housing production at the top of the list.
The 2017 report includes a “report card” that grades the City and State on their respective efforts to prevent homelessness, improve the shelter system, and create long-term solutions. The report recommends an aggressive course correction to prioritize housing production for homeless families and individuals on a scale to meet the level of need.
The 2016 report documents the City’s efforts to combat homelessness, which have shown early signs of success, and how the City and State must work closely together to coordinate anti-homelessness efforts and invest in proven solutions to reducing a crisis that remains at near-record levels.
The 2015 report documents the encouraging initial steps New York City has taken to begin to reduce the record number of New Yorkers. The report outlined key policy recommendations for both city and state leaders to dramatically reduce homelessness from today’s record heights.
The 2014 report documents new record levels of homelessness reached in Mayor Bloomberg’s final year in office, with more than 53,000 New Yorkers and 22,000 children sleeping in shelters each night by the end of 2013.
The 2013 report documents how New York reached a record 50,000 homeless men, women, and children and what can be done to stem the tide.
Read the State of the Homeless 2013 report here. Download the complete report here.
Amidst a New Record High in NYC Homelessness, Mayor Bloomberg Has a Final Chance to Help Homeless Kids and Families Escape the Shelter System The 2012 report analyzes City data showing a new record high homeless population in New York City, and highlights a New York City Council plan that would reduce homelessness and move thousands of homeless kids and families into permanent housing.
Read the State of the Homeless 2012 report here. Download the complete report here.
The 2011 report highlights a new all-time record homeless population in New York City, analyzes City data showing why the Bloomberg administration’s time-limited subsidy programs have contributed to record homelessness, and outlines a plan to use Federal housing resources to reduce the homeless population. Download the complete report here.
The 2010 report analyzes Gov. Paterson’s Executive Budget proposal, which cuts more than $104 million in funding for homeless services – the largest such cut in New York history – amidst the worst year for homelessness since the city began collecting data 25 years ago. Read a summary of the report here. Download the complete report here.
The 2009 report analyzes rising family homelessness in New York City amidst the economic downturn. The report also describes how the City can reduce family homelessness by reversing Mayor Bloomberg’s policy cutting off homeless New Yorkers from Federal housing assistance. Download the complete report here.
As the 2008 report discusses, while family homelessness in New York City soared to record levels, the Bloomberg administration failed to change course and address the worsening problem. Download the complete report here.
Download past reports below:
