The Blindspot

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, in 2024 there were over 150,000 unhoused people sleeping on the streets of NYC. It was estimated that about 350,000 people were in homeless shelters.

Causes of the rise of the homeless population

• increasing housing costs
• substance abuse
• unfair wages
• youth going into foster care

Housing costs

Over the years, housing prices have been rising increasingly quickly. According to the average of all Zillow listings in New York City, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment is $3800. This average has been increasing by 5.8% yearly, which is about $220. These already high rent prices are increasing at a rate that is increasingly hard to keep up with.

Substance abuse

Drug abuse and homelessness have a connection. A statewide report as of January 2024 states that 30% – 50% of all sheltered adults have chronic substance use disorder. Drug abuse is a continuous cycle that is hard to break that will lead to irresponsible money management, losing employment, and strained family relationships.

Unfair wages

A story done in 2025 by Documented and NYLAG writes about the underpaid janitorial workers. it was found that they were often paid $10 an hour, and they worked over 70 hours a week. These workers are often Latino immigrants, and due to this, they are always on call and lack benefits like health insurance, Medicaid, food assistance, and cash assistance, and their paid time off is often unenforced.

Youth

According to the Department of Homeless Services, in 2023, 5,800 people in the ages of (16-24) were admitted into the shelter system. Causes of this come from family conflict or rejection due to sexuality changes, aging out of foster care, and fleeing from an unstable household. All of these causes can lead to the youth population ending up on the streets.

There are many different reasons why people in New York City end up without stable housing, and often, these causes are connected. High rent prices, a shortage of affordable places to live, and wages that haven’t kept up with the cost of living all make it hard for many people to keep a roof over their heads. Migrant workers, especially those without legal status, are often paid very little, face unsafe working conditions, and don’t qualify for most government help, making them especially vulnerable. Addiction and mental health struggles also play a big role, particularly for those who have been living on the streets for a long time. People escaping domestic violence—especially women and LGBTQ+ youth—often have nowhere safe to go. Many young people who’ve been in foster care end up homeless after turning 21 and aging out of the system, while others leave home because of abuse or rejection. These issues are made worse by racism, discrimination, and a lack of long-term support, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break.

What Can We Do to Address Homelessness?

Solving homelessness in New York City—and across the country—requires a mix of short-term support and long-term policy change. Experts and advocates agree that increasing the supply of affordable housing is one of the most urgent steps. That includes expanding rental assistance, strengthening tenant protections, and investing in supportive housing for people with mental illness or substance use disorders. Programs tailored to young adults aging out of foster care, as well as job training for low-income and migrant workers, can help prevent individuals from slipping into homelessness in the first place. Community organizations and volunteers also play a key role by providing meals, shelter, legal help, and emotional support. But beyond charity, lasting solutions will come from political will—demanding that elected officials treat housing as a basic human right, not a privilege. As homelessness continues to rise, it’s clear that inaction is no longer an option.

Things we could do to directly support the homeless is through a direct service organization called the Coalition For The Homeless, and WeHOPE a leading organization focused on dignity, access and long term support.