Number of Families With Children in Shelter Has Climbed Nearly 10% in Three Months

NEW YORK, NY – In response to the rising number of families with children in New York City Department of Homeless Services shelters, the Family Homelessness Coalition released the following statement:
“New York City is grappling with a severe and worsening family homelessness crisis. In just three months, the number of New York City families with children in Department of Homeless Services shelters has climbed nearly 10%.

No family – regardless of immigration status – should have to worry about whether they will have a roof over their head. The compounding trauma of entering a shelter is life-changing for any child. New York City’s elected officials must remain laser-focused on ending the vicious cycle of family homelessness and ensuring families in shelter have their basic needs met and are moved into permanent housing as quickly as possible – especially before the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
We applaud Mayor Adams and the City Council for expanding access to city-funded rental vouchers, laying out a child care plan that addresses family homelessness and expands child care voucher access to immigrant families, and funding community coordinators in shelters to address educational needs. But as families grapple with the end of the state’s eviction moratorium, skyrocketing rents, and a severe lack of affordable housing, New York City leaders clearly must do more to fulfill their budget and legislative promises and meet the needs of families in or at risk of entering shelter.
Our city leaders cannot lose sight of the work that still must be done to ensure every New York City family and child has the support they need to not just stay stably housed and succeed in school, but thrive.”
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ABOUT
The Family Homelessness Coalition (FHC) is composed of 18 organizations representing service and housing providers and children’s advocacy organizations. FHC is united by the goal of launching a coordinated, collaborative, multi-agency effort focused on preventing family homelessness, improving the well-being of children and families in shelters, and supporting the long-term stability of families with children who leave shelters.