As winter temperatures bring snow and ice to the Northeastern United States, the crisis of homelessness is being starkly highlighted. The incoming New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who will be sworn in on January 1st, has made addressing housing affordability a central tenet of his campaign.
A Growing Crisis
Mayor-elect Mamdani has acknowledged the precarious financial situation of many New Yorkers, stating that “hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are just one rent hike, one medical emergency, one layoff from joining the ranks of the homeless” – a population that has reached levels not seen since the Great Depression. Currently, over 100,000 people are sheltered in New York City each night, including 35,000 children.
Systemic Issues at Play
Housing advocate Patrick Markee, author of Placeless: Homelessness in the New Gilded Age, argues that homelessness is fundamentally a housing affordability problem, not a matter of personal failings. He points to a national crisis, with over 3 million Americans experiencing homelessness annually, and another 3.5 million experiencing “hidden homelessness” through overcrowded living situations. Markee also emphasized the role of systemic racism, noting that 90% of homeless New Yorkers are Black or Latino, despite making up only 50% of the city’s population.
What’s Next?
Mayor-elect Mamdani has vowed to end the practice of clearing homeless encampments and prioritize permanent housing solutions. He has also expressed a desire to reduce the 252-day average timeline for filling affordable housing units. A coalition of states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, recently sued the Trump administration over policy changes that threatened funding for permanent housing. It is possible that the new administration will focus on utilizing the city’s substantial budget – larger than the budgets of 35 states – to invest in deeply affordable housing and preserve the “right to shelter” currently in place in New York. Freezing rents on the city’s 1 million rent-stabilized apartments is also being considered. However, securing funding and overcoming potential obstacles from real estate and finance interests could prove challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the root cause of homelessness, according to Patrick Markee?
According to Patrick Markee, the root cause of homelessness is a housing affordability problem, stemming from structural economic changes, right-wing economic policies, and systemic racism.
How many people are currently experiencing homelessness in New York City?
Currently, more than 100,000 people are sleeping in homeless shelters in New York City each night, including 35,000 children.
What is Mayor-elect Mamdani’s plan to address the crisis?
Mayor-elect Mamdani has vowed to end the clearing of homeless encampments, prioritize permanent housing, and potentially freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments.
Given the complex interplay of economic forces, historical policies, and social inequities, what role should community involvement play in creating sustainable solutions to homelessness?
