Chair Hudson details homelessness crisis and shelter census
Hudson describes New York City's intertwined affordable housing and homelessness crises, citing 96,528 people in shelters in July 2026, including 30,824 children. She argues the true number of unhoused New Yorkers is likely in the hundreds of thousands.
New York City is facing two intertwined crises, an acute affordable housing shortage and a staggering number of New Yorkers who are unhoused.
According to the Coalition for the Homeless, in July 2026, 96,528 people slept in New York City shelters each night, including 30,824 children.
The total number of people without homes is far higher.
Between folks sleeping unsheltered and people living doubled or tripled up with family or friends, the number is more likely in the hundreds of thousands.
Let that sink in.
Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors, school kids, people fleeing domestic violence, people who just can't make the rent because...
It's too damn high.
Have to question whether they will have a roof over their heads tonight.
What a wholly unacceptable state of affairs.
In New York City, everyone has a right to shelter, but frankly, shelter isn't enough.