Summary:

NYC homelessness surged by a dramatic 53% in 2024, hitting the highest per capita rate nationally.
Migrant arrivals in city shelters accounted for almost 88% of the increase in sheltered homelessness.
Factors include a lingering eviction backlog, affordable housing shortage, and rising rent prices.
Over 95,000 families and 3,203 unaccompanied minors experienced homelessness in 2024.
New York State saw a 152% increase in homelessness between 2007 and 2024.

NYC Homelessness Crisis: A 53% Surge in 2024

New York City experienced a staggering 53% increase in homelessness in 2024, reaching the highest per capita rate in the nation. A new report by the US Department of Housing and Development (HUD) reveals over 158,000 individuals lacked permanent housing in NYC, a significant portion attributed to the influx of migrants.

Key Factors Contributing to the Crisis

The HUD report cites several contributing factors:

Migrant Influx: Migrants in city shelters accounted for nearly 88% of the increase in sheltered homelessness. As of January 2025, nearly 60,000 migrants were in city shelters.
Eviction Backlog: Lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial backlog of evictions.
Affordable Housing Shortage: A limited supply of affordable housing coupled with soaring rent prices exacerbated the problem.

NYC Street Scene

The Numbers Tell a Story

Overall Homelessness: The city saw a jump from 88,025 homeless individuals in 2023 to 140,134 in 2024.
Families: Over 95,000 families experienced homelessness in 2024.
Unaccompanied Minors: A shocking 71% increase in homeless unaccompanied minors, reaching 3,203 in 2024.
Statewide Impact: New York State witnessed a disturbing 152% increase in homelessness between 2007 and 2024.

The report also suggests that improvements in counting methods might have contributed to the higher numbers. The state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has yet to comment on the findings.

Read the full HUD report

Source: New York Post