Homelessness in New York

In recent years, homelessness in New York City has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s

With your help we can provide the homeless in New York with some protection so they can sleep safer at night. We can help these people with a safer place to sleep so they don’t have to sleep on the streets.

As of August, 2024 the average price of a home in New York is $672,129.30 (zillow.com)

As of August, 2024 the average rent in New York is $3,100.00 per month (renthub.com)

New York Homeless Statistics

Overall Numbers: In April 2024, it was estimated that over 350,000 people were experiencing homelessness in NYC (Coalition for the Homeless, 2024)

The number of people sleeping in NYC shelters has seen a significant increase in recent years.

The number of people sleeping in NYC shelters has seen a significant increase in recent years. (Coalition for the homleless. 2024)

Of those in shelters, 71% were members of homeless families, including over 45,000 children. (Coalition for the Homeless, 2024)

In March 2022, there were 48,524 homeless people (inc 15,087 children) sleeping in New York City’s municipal shelter system.

The number of homeless New Yorkers sleeping each night in municipal shelters is now 14 percent higher than it was 10 years ago (Coalition for Homelessness 2022).

The number of homeless single adults is 88 percent higher than it was 10 years ago (Coallition for Homelesness 2022).

As of April 2024, over 350,000 individuals were estimated to be experiencing homelessness in New York City, with a significant portion residing in shelters. The number of people in shelters has increased notably in recent years, reaching 132,000 in April 2024, with families, including over 45,000 children, comprising 71% of the sheltered population. Additionally, thousands more are estimated to be unsheltered. This issue has worsened considerably since 2000, with a 175% increase in sheltered homelessness by 2020.

Homelessness can be caused by

Family violence

Mental health issues

Physical health issue e.g. accident at work and bills mount up

Loss of employment, under-employment or inability to gain a new job

Limited housing / rental stress

Drug and alcohol addiction (which can occur AFTER being homeless)

Traumatic Experiences

How the Backpack Bed Helps the Homeless

One or a combination of these factors can lead to someone becoming homeless. Sometimes homelessness can occur due to someone moving to a new area and losing their job, and not having any support to help. Other times it can be something as simple as not being able to afford housing.

Homelessness can affect anyone at any time. The tiniest life change can cause someone to lose everything they have in a blink of an eye. It's a terrible place for anyone to be in as you will never know what will happen to you on the streets.

Whatever the reason - Americans sleeping on our streets need immediate shelter to survive.

Backpack Bed for Homeless partners with homeless services across America to distribute our study proven Backpack Beds to street sleeping homeless without shelter.

We are a 501(c)3 charity that relies on the support of everyday Americans to help give back safety to people living on the streets. Your donation can help someone survive a night on the streets by protecting them from the harsh weather climates that can happen at night.