Increase of Homelessness Within New York City Endorses Awareness

Clashes between the public and homeless people bring great attention to the issue, of homelessness.

The issue of homelessness in New York City has long been of great concern. As people go about their day to work or wherever life leads; they will usually run into the occasional sight of a homeless person begging bread, or just laying about. Over the years the number of homeless individuals have been on the climb. The increase of homeless people caused public outcry towards official, since it seems the homeless are now intruding on their space. Based on research in the last two years alone, the numbers have been at record high. According to the Coalition For the Homeless, it is noted,

“In early 2017, more than 62,000 men, women, and children were sleeping in New York City shelters each night, down slightly from the all-time high of 62,840 in November 2016.”

Though the numbers of homeless people actually decreased, it is still a minuscule improvement. The attention to homelessness has been somewhat positive and now one must take into consideration the contributing factors behind it.

Organizations such as the Coalition For The Homeless took the time to look deeply into such a factors. The organization went on to point out other components that contribute to displaced individuals, stating,

“Research shows that the primary cause of homelessness, particularly among families, is lack of affordable housing. Surveys of homeless families have identified the following major immediate, triggering causes of homelessness: eviction; doubled-up or severely overcrowded housing; domestic violence; job loss; and hazardous housing conditions.”

Pressure has continued to be placed on legislation, to take more initiative in the short term. These initiatives include assisting individuals living in shelters and among the street. individuals and families would like to see legislation place an increase in public housing units and, Section 8 rental tickets. This implementation is needed in order to help aide homeless New Yorkers and those possibly facing homelessness.

Affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness, but as demonstrated, other factors must also be taken into great consideration. Alterations within the United States workforce and a overall economic decline, has contributed to the loss of employment chances, particularly with low-wage workers. Due to these circumstances, individuals and families are living in poverty and face the possibility of losing their housing.

Mental illness is a major contributing factor to people becoming homeless. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center it is stated,

“Approximately one-third of the total homeless population includes individuals with serious, untreated mental illnesses according to a research summary compiled by the Treatment Advocacy Center.”

It is very unfortunate that these individuals usually end up homeless due to their mental state. Though it may be equally worrisome when they began to intrude on the space of those in public and threatening harm even to the point of inflicting. Sadly, the out cry of the public to solve the issue of homelessness does not seem to necessarily come from empathetic hearts towards the homeless. Rather, it seems the homeless have become troublesome to those around them. Subways present the greatest percentage of homeless and strap- hanger clashes.

The NY Post constructed a detailed article which was mostly based around interviews of subway riders who daily experience these events. In one article the NY Post goes on to state, “riders said they have been screamed at, touched and harassed by mentally ill vagrants all across the transit system. At Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station, a commuter described a frightening incident involving a vagrant inside Manhattan’s 59th Street-Columbus Circle station.” The attacks provide the public the right to immediately display elicit outrage and a demand for answers and change.

Subway riders did not hesitate to show their displeasure in these situations, in which they directly went after may De Blasio. The NY Times noted one individual who stated,

“De Blasio definitely doesn’t have a plan. He goes to Germany and ignores his constituents.”

Another individual who finds disgust in the way the the 125th Street-Lexington Avenue station is situated, went on to state,

“I think if de Blasio comes here, he’ll be able to get an adequate understanding of the problems that commuters here face,”

It is unfortunate that tax payers have to travel in the unfortunate circumstances. Fair hikes and debilitated subways riddled with homeless people will do nothing other than spark outcry, which will provide the needed pressure to keep officials on top of the issue.

The homelessness issue has for long been a sore point spanning Mayor Bill De Blasio’s term, whose goal was to reduce the number of homeless New Yorkers. Unless the mayor and officials continue to pursue ways to end the contributing factors to homelessness, society will continue to see an increase of displaced individuals. A solid solution may be sometime away but by looking for ways to accommodate the homeless, subway riders and the general public. As a result officials may in turn ease the conflicts between the groups, which then results in less complaints.