Youth Homelessness Soars, Leaving Hundreds Without Shelter
New figures paint a grim picture of increasing youth homelessness in New York City. A new report released this week by the city’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) shows the highest number of unsheltered young people in at least a decade. During a four-day period in January, 418 young people, ages 14 to 24, were sleeping in precarious locations – shelters, because they had to wait days and even weeks for another shelter cot after a 30-day limit expired.
This represents more than double the number counted last year, which itself is an alarming figure. A stunning 73 young people were found staying overnight in so-called “drop-in centers” that don’t offer beds. A directive issued in January 2023 by Mayor Eric Paloma
“Tragedy and a safety net,” said Jamie Powlovich, who works with homeless youth at the Coalition for the Homeless, said, calling the data devastating.
“Under the de Blasio administration, things weren’t perfect, but significant steps were taken to meet the needs of young people experiencing homelessness in the city,” Powlovich said. This town’s notice is important. “Unfortunately under the current administration, all we’re seeing is report after report that has historically high data,” she added.
Sebastien Vante, the associate vice president at Safe Horizon, echoes those concerns. “More beds – we need more beds,” Vante said. “We need more beds, and we need more money. Programs like ours need more funding to continue to meet the growing needs of this growing population of youth who are experiencing homelessness.”
The city, however, claims it blazes
"DYCD and our providers continue to step up for runaway and homeless youth," a spokesperson for DYCD, Mark Zustovich said," "offering immediate and longer-term services to anyone who needs them.”
“DYCD providers connect all young people to available resources or refer them to other programs so that they get the critical services they deserve.”
The majority of shelter beds are occupied. As of Tuesday morning, 777 of 813 youth shelter beds were occupied.
A Refugee Crisis Complicates the Issue
The surge in youth homelessness coincides with a surge in migrants and asylum seekers arriving in New York City, testing the city’s historic right-to-shelter protections
Advocates have warned for over a year about a looming youth homelessness crisis
Throughout the city’s shelter system. Since January. There has been a biannual report released in September by DYCD found an unprecedented number of young people denied shelter beds between January and July. City-sponsored shelters turned away more than a thousand youth during that time period, up from 234 young adults who requested shelter and were not placed during the six months prior
In January, when DYCD conducted the count of homeless youth, migrants seeking shelters were turned away, forced to wait. In the first six months of 2023, only nine young adults were denied beds
Since then,
The number of migrants living in city shelters has declined
As more migrants have left shelters and fewer new arrivals to New York
Since the Biden administration tightened restrictions on border crossings.
What preventative measures were implemented during the de Blasio administration to address youth homelessness, and how were they effective?
## “A Tragedy in the Making”: Youth Homelessness Crisis Grips NYC
**Anchor:** We turn now to a disturbing trend gripping New York City: a sharp rise in youth homelessness. New figures from the Department of Youth and Community Development show a staggering increase in the number of young people without safe shelter. Joining us to discuss this crisis is Jamie Powlovich, who works with homeless youth at the Coalition for the Homeless.
**Anchor:** Jamie, these numbers are truly alarming. The report shows over 400 young people sleeping in precarious locations, including shelters and drop-in centers. That’s more than double last year’s count. What’s behind this surge?
**Jamie Powlovich:** This data is devastating. It paints a picture of a city failing its most vulnerable. The reality is that under the current administration, we’re seeing cuts to vital programs and a lack of investment in solutions that actually work.
**Anchor:** So, what steps were taken previously that seem to have been reversed?
**Jamie Powlovich:** The de Blasio administration, while not perfect, took significant steps to address youth homelessness. We saw increased funding for programs and a focus on preventative measures. Sadly, we’re now seeing a reversal of those gains, with a focus seemingly shifting away from this critical issue.
**Anchor:** What kind of impact is this having on these young people?
**Jamie Powlovich:** The consequences are dire. Unsheltered youth are more vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and mental health issues. Without safe and stable housing, they face significant barriers to education, employment, and overall well-being.
**Anchor:** What needs to happen to reverse this crisis?
**:Jamie Powlovich:** We need a multi-pronged approach. First and foremost, we need a commitment from the city to prioritize funding for youth homelessness programs. We also need more affordable housing options and better access to mental health and substance abuse services.
**Anchor:** Sebastien Vante, associate vice president at Safe Horizon, which provides services to homeless youth, echoed your concerns. He emphasized the urgent need for more beds and funding. So Jamie, do you think there’s hope that this situation can be turned around?
**Jamie Powlovich:** I hope so. But it will take a concerted effort from the city, community organizations, and the people of New York. We need to make this a priority and demand that our elected officials take concrete action to protect our most vulnerable youth.
