Homelessness In The News

Read the latest articles on the state of homelessness in NYC and the US below

By Jillian Jonas, Gotham Gazette

Upon taking office in early 2009, President Barack Obama said ending the "national disgrace" of homelessness would be a priority. In June, the Obama administration unveiled Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness...

In School, Homeless Kids Face A Different Test

By Dale Eisinger and Alana Casanova-Burgess, City Limits Magazine

Homeless children struggle with more than reading and math. They're challenged to stay connected to schools as their families search for shelter.

Federal Plan To End Homelessness Unveiled at White House

By Jonathan Daniel Harris, HuffPost

The White House and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) unveiled a plan this morning to end homelessness in America. The strategy seeks to end veteran and chronic homelessness by 2015 and family and youth homelessness by 2020. The plan is called Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.

Families in homeless shelters increased 7% in '09

By Marisol Bello, USA TODAY

The recession continued to take its toll as more families with children became homeless for the second straight year, a U.S. government report shows.

New Yorkers Don't Think City Hall Is Doing Enough About Homelessness

By Gabe Pressman

Survey says seven out of ten New Yorkers believe that the city isn’t doing enough.

Cuts to Child Care Subsidy Thwart More Job Seekers

By Peter S. Goodman

State cuts in child care are forcing many low-income parents to forgo work, and threaten to undo the progress of welfare changes enacted in 1996.

Thousands May Lose Rental Vouchers

By Cara Buckley

The New York City Housing Authority, facing a deficit, is weighing an unprecedented move that could cause 10,500 families to lose their apartments.

HUD Study Examines Rise In First-Time Homelessness

Many Americans find themselves just one paycheck removed from homelessness as the nation struggles to rebound from financial crisis.

City $$ cuts killing dreams
By Amy Padnani
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. --- For months, Sharon Bracero picked up her five kids and moved among three shelters and several temporary apartments.

Homelessness in city schools rises with recession
Columbia Spectator
“Data published by the city of New York clearly shows that the economic crisis has increased homelessness among NYC single individuals and families,” said economics lecturer Anna Musatti. “Starting from 2001, families with children represent a larger and fast-increasing portion of the city homeless.”

NYS Education Commissioner Vows Reform After Homeless Brooklyn Girl Denied Diploma
Huffington Post (blog)
After a wave of negative press, New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner is vowing that what happened to homeless Brooklyn high school senior ...

The Safety Net: Once Stigmatized, Food Stamps Find Acceptance

By JASON DEPARLE and ROBERT GEBELOFF

Published: February 11, 2010

A program once scorned as “welfare” enjoys broad new support from city, state and federal governments.

New York City to overhaul treatment of children in shelter system
Examiner.com
There are currently 10374 families and 16499 children living in New york City homeless shelters. About 22000 school-age children spent at least a day in a ...

City Runs Out of Federal Housing Vouchers
Thousands of formerly homeless families are heading towards a state of housing limbo as city and state officials decide what to do about a shortage of federal housing vouchers. The vouchers known as Section 8 are used by families who need long term assistance to pay the monthly rent.

City's Largest Drop-In Homeless Center Victim Of Budget Cuts
Some 200 homeless New Yorkers flock to a 24-hour homeless drop-in center near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown every day. It is a place to get some rest and respite from the cold, and for some it has been their home for months.