New York City is set to conduct its annual homeless count, with volunteers needed to help track down those living on the streets. The effort is crucial, as it provides the city with vital data to allocate resources and services effectively towards homeless individuals who don't reside in shelters.
As Mayor Zohran Mamdani takes office, his administration promises to bolster the city's outreach efforts aimed at tackling homelessness. This year's count, known as the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), comes against a backdrop where many of the nation's major cities are struggling with an increasing homeless population. According to federal data, Los Angeles boasts 70% of its homeless residents living on the streets, a stark contrast to New York City, which sees just about 3%.
The city's unique right-to-shelter policy ensures that anyone who asks for assistance gets a bed, a factor contributing to the disparity. In response, New York City has been expanding its Safe Haven and stabilization beds with more relaxed rules than traditional shelters. Last year, the agency successfully connected over 1,000 former homeless individuals to permanent homes.
Commissioner Molly Wasow Park emphasized the need for vigilance in the face of federal actions that threaten to erode the city's social safety net. "At a time when we're facing an onslaught of federal actions...we must all stand steadfast in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable amongst us."
Volunteers can sign up to participate in the count, which will take place from January 27th at 10 p.m. until 4 a.m., spanning across the five boroughs. During this time, volunteers will be tasked with identifying homeless individuals on the subway, streets, and parks.
The data collected from this year's HOPE count is crucial in guiding the city's response to homelessness, and Mayor Mamdani has encouraged all New Yorkers to join forces in building a better city.
As Mayor Zohran Mamdani takes office, his administration promises to bolster the city's outreach efforts aimed at tackling homelessness. This year's count, known as the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), comes against a backdrop where many of the nation's major cities are struggling with an increasing homeless population. According to federal data, Los Angeles boasts 70% of its homeless residents living on the streets, a stark contrast to New York City, which sees just about 3%.
The city's unique right-to-shelter policy ensures that anyone who asks for assistance gets a bed, a factor contributing to the disparity. In response, New York City has been expanding its Safe Haven and stabilization beds with more relaxed rules than traditional shelters. Last year, the agency successfully connected over 1,000 former homeless individuals to permanent homes.
Commissioner Molly Wasow Park emphasized the need for vigilance in the face of federal actions that threaten to erode the city's social safety net. "At a time when we're facing an onslaught of federal actions...we must all stand steadfast in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable amongst us."
Volunteers can sign up to participate in the count, which will take place from January 27th at 10 p.m. until 4 a.m., spanning across the five boroughs. During this time, volunteers will be tasked with identifying homeless individuals on the subway, streets, and parks.
The data collected from this year's HOPE count is crucial in guiding the city's response to homelessness, and Mayor Mamdani has encouraged all New Yorkers to join forces in building a better city.
. I mean, 70% of LA's homeless population living on the streets is just wild, it's like, what happened to all that progress? We need to make sure everyone's got a safe spot to lay their head at night, you feel me?
. It's like, we gotta make it easier for people to get back on their feet, not just throw 'em a lifeline and then leave 'em dangling 
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. Alright, I'm signing up to volunteer! Who's with me? 
. I mean, 70% of LA's homeless population living on the streets is crazy 
, but it sounds like NYC's approach is trying to address a different issue altogether. What if some people don't want to go into traditional shelters? 
Have they considered other options like tiny home villages or community land trusts? 
I'm not trying to be negative, but as a volunteer, you gotta wonder if these efforts are gonna make a real difference. 
. I'm glad NYC has that right-to-shelter policy in place, but at the same time, I get why they'd want to expand Safe Haven beds with more relaxed rules. It sounds like a win-win? 
. We gotta look out for each other, you know? And 1,000 former homeless individuals connected to permanent homes last year is amazing 
the fact that they're expanding safe haven beds with more relaxed rules is like totally genius 
anyone who asks for help gets a bed, thats amazing! 
and to know that last year they connected over 1k people to permanent homes is just wow 
its a good reminder that even small actions can make a big difference in someone's life 
Need more than just stats, need people on ground 
making change 
I'm actually kinda stoked that NYC is doing its homeless count again! It's like, we gotta know where our fellow human beings are, right? And it's awesome that the new mayor is making outreach efforts a priority - it shows he cares about those on the streets. Plus, who doesn't love a good community effort? 
We should be celebrating the fact that NYC has more people in shelters than on the streets compared to other major cities! It's like we're leading the way with our right-to-shelter policy. And did you see that over 1k people were connected to permanent homes last year? That's some serious progress! 
! its crazy 2 think about how many ppl r struggling w/o a roof over their heads n york city seems 2 be doing some amazing things 2 combat it like dat right 2 shelter policy is everything 
like whats going on in america?? NYC is literally the only place where homeless ppl can just walk into a shelter 
but at the same time, I guess it's kinda cool that we're all gonna be working together to try and make a difference 
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. Can't wait to sign up and be a part of it! 
let's hope mayor mamdani & his team stay committed 2 helpin those in need 
. it's sad that some cities are struggling w/ homelessness more than NYC. dont know what the deal is, but NYCs got a good system goin' on 
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. I'm also curious about how the HOPE count will be adapted to account for the changing demographics of homelessness in New York City, particularly among marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals and families with children 
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. I mean, who'd've thought that people would still be livin' on the streets in this day and age? It's like, what happened to all the progress we were supposed to make back in the 90s and early 2000s? 
! And I love how Mayor Mamdani is all about expandin' the Safe Haven program – it's like, we gotta take care of each other, ya know?
It's just so... invasive. Don't people deserve some dignity? But I guess that's the thing with homelessness - it's a huge problem and there needs to be a huge effort to tackle it.