The Big Apple's Big Problem: Counting Our Unhoused Neighbors (But Not Literally, That Would Be Rude)
Ah, New York City. The city that never sleeps, the land of opportunity, and... the place where you can trip over more designer dog poop than you'll ever see in Kansas. But beneath the glitz, the glam, and the overpriced everything, there's a sobering reality: homelessness.
Now, before you picture a scene straight out of Charles Dickens, with raggedy folks huddled around flickering lampposts (although that probably does happen somewhere), homelessness in NYC is a complex beast.
Shelter From the Storm (or the Rent)
Let's talk numbers. The last official count, which by the way, is about as exciting as watching paint dry, says there were around 92,879 New Yorkers catching some shut-eye in the city's homeless shelters each night in December 2023. That's a lot of folks! More than 33,000 of them were children, which is enough to make even the most jaded New Yorker shed a tear (or two, allergies are a thing).
But here's the kicker: that number only counts the folks in shelters. You see, some folks prefer the freedom of the open air (or subway grate) to the sometimes-questionable joys of institutional living. Estimating the number of unsheltered homeless New Yorkers is about as accurate as predicting the next subway delay, but it's somewhere around 4,000.
So, all total, you're looking at well over 100,000 New Yorkers who don't have a place to call home. That's more people than live in Peoria, Illinois (no offense, Peoria).
Why So Many Sad Sack Squatters? (Because That Term is So 20th Century)
The reasons for homelessness in NYC are as numerous as the cockroaches in your overpriced Brooklyn apartment (don't worry, they're probably rent-controlled too). Lack of affordable housing is a big one, followed closely by mental health issues, job loss, and the ever-present struggle of not wanting to share a bathroom with seven other people (seriously, who even does that?).
So, What Can You Do Besides Bumping Quarters on the Train? (Because That's Not Helping)
Look, homelessness is a serious issue, but that doesn't mean we can't lighten the mood a tad. Here are some ways you can (hopefully) make a difference:
- Donate to organizations that help the homeless. There are tons of great charities out there doing the real legwork.
- Volunteer your time. Soup kitchens, shelters, even just striking up a conversation with someone on the street can make a big difference.
- Next time you see someone panhandling, throw them a couple bucks. Hey, a dollar might not buy you a coffee these days, but it could buy someone a sandwich (or a lottery ticket, who are we to judge?).
Remember, folks, even a little bit can go a long way. And who knows, maybe someday we'll be able to walk down a New York street without tripping over someone's misfortune (or a discarded hot dog).
