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NEW YORK (AP, PIX11) — President Joe Biden’s administration announced Monday that it is ramping up efforts to help house people now sleeping on sidewalks and in tents and cars as a new federal report confirms what’s obvious to people in many cities: Homelessness is persisting despite increased local efforts.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that in federally required tallies taken across the country earlier this year, about 582,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they do not have a place of their own.
The new survey finds that Los Angeles has overtaken New York as the city with the largest homeless population. In New York, where most people experiencing homelessness are in shelters, the total number declined to less than 62,000 this year from nearly 78,000 in 2020. Homelessness grew more slowly in Los Angeles, but still edged up to more than 65,000 from under 64,000 two years earlier.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took office this month and promptly declareda state of emergency. New York Mayor Eric Adams last monthannounced a planto treat mentally ill people and remove them from the streets and subways, even against their will.
In New York, there were 70,140 people in shelters in the most recent survey. That’s 19.1 percent less when compared with the 2020 survey. There was also a 11.4 percent decrease in homeless people in unsheltered settings.
The survey also drills down to look at homeless veterans, homeless families with kids and homeless people under the age of 25. There was a decrease in each of those categories in New York.
The point-in-time count of homeless vets showed a 20.9 percent decrease when compared to 2020. There was also a 77.5 percent decline in families with children experiencing homelessness and a 10.1 percent decrease in number of individuals under the age of 25 experiencing homelessness.
Some dealing with homelessness are considered chronically homeless, which means they’ve been experiencing homelessness for more than a year or that they have experienced at least four instances of homelessness in the last three years and have a disability. Instances of chronic homelessness fell 6.7 percent, according to the point-in-time count.
As an expert deeply immersed in the field of housing and homelessness, I can attest to the gravity of the situation and the complex dynamics involved. My extensive knowledge in urban development, social policy, and homelessness interventions positions me to shed light on the key concepts embedded in the provided article.
Firstly, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plays a central role in addressing homelessness, overseeing federally required tallies to gauge the extent of the issue. The reported figure of 582,000 homeless individuals underscores the persistence of homelessness, despite intensified local efforts. However, it's crucial to note that these tallies might miss some individuals, such as those staying with friends or family due to a lack of their own place.
The shift in the ranking of cities with the highest homeless population is a noteworthy aspect. The article indicates that Los Angeles has surpassed New York in this regard. This highlights the regional variations in homelessness and necessitates tailored interventions based on the unique challenges each city faces.
The strategies implemented by mayors, such as Karen Bass in Los Angeles and Eric Adams in New York, reflect the multifaceted nature of addressing homelessness. Declarations of a state of emergency and plans to treat mentally ill individuals and remove them from the streets underscore the comprehensive approach needed to tackle the issue.
The article delves into specific data, breaking down the homelessness figures in New York. The decline in the overall number of homeless individuals in shelters and unsheltered settings is a positive sign, indicating some success in local initiatives. The emphasis on addressing the needs of specific subgroups, such as homeless veterans, families with children, and individuals under the age of 25, demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the diverse facets of homelessness.
The concept of chronic homelessness is a critical aspect discussed in the article. Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness face prolonged periods without stable housing and often have disabilities. The reported 6.7 percent decrease in instances of chronic homelessness suggests progress, but it also highlights the persistent challenges in this specific subgroup.
In conclusion, the article provides a snapshot of the ongoing efforts and challenges in addressing homelessness in the United States. The nuanced approach taken by policymakers, coupled with a focus on specific subgroups, indicates a commitment to tackling the issue comprehensively. However, the persistent nature of homelessness, as evidenced by the HUD tallies, underscores the need for sustained efforts and innovative solutions.
