Today’s Headlines – Homelessness on the Rise in Washington and New York
Among the top stories for today’s headlines in the Fox News website are the rise of homelessness in Washington state and New York City. This is an issue that is important to many people, and it’s important that we learn more about how to reduce homelessness in both states.
Reduce homelessness in Washington state
Currently, there are 12,000 people in Washington state who are unhoused. These people are at a high risk of dying, and they lack the necessary services to improve their lives. Increasing housing stability is a major priority for state officials. However, reducing homelessness requires more than just money.
While a number of programs are available to help individuals who are homeless, prevention is often the most effective way to reduce homelessness. By helping individuals at risk of becoming homeless, governmental efforts can prevent further evictions and help more individuals move into stable, permanent housing.
The state Department of Commerce works with local governments to monitor the number of homeless persons in the state. It coordinates annual point-in-time counts, and tracks progress toward reducing homelessness.
The state’s largest federal money infusion has been used to help prevent and reduce homelessness. In addition, the Legislature passed $300 million to purchase properties, as well as another $45 million to clear encampments.
Inslee has announced his budget proposal for the coming fiscal year. This includes a host of initiatives to increase emergency shelters and support recovery from addiction. He also plans to build on nearly $2 billion in funding for housing.
He also plans to expand mental health and substance abuse services, and provide more supportive employment opportunities for chronically homeless individuals. These measures will help ensure that more families can have a safe place to live.
Homelessness rates on the rise in New York City
Despite the eviction moratorium, Homelessness rates on the rise in New York City continue to be a major concern. The city is one of the most expensive to live in and lacks affordable housing. In addition, New Yorkers living on the edge of poverty are at risk for health complications, mental stress, and material harm.
The number of homeless families in New York is much higher than in most other cities. The city’s policy to provide priority to homeless families for housing is one factor contributing to this high rate.
Other factors that contribute to the high rate of homelessness include the prevalence of single heads of families, the city’s low poverty rates, and the availability of affordable and stable housing. A study of New York City public school students showed that 1 in 10 were homeless last year. The number of students without stable housing grew by 3% across all districts and charter schools.
The city’s shelter system has reached an all-time high. Over 60,000 people are currently occupying the city’s 300 city-run homeless shelters. Another 3,000 live on the streets or in other public spaces. The waiting list contains more than 200,000 families. Many of these families are no longer eligible for subsidized housing.
A recent report by the Coalition for Homeless Families shows that the number of single adults on the homeless list has increased by 92 percent in the past ten years. The study found that these individuals have higher rates of severe health problems, addiction disorders, and mental illness.
Homelessness in Washington state on the rise in New York City
Across the country, homelessness increased by a small fraction between January of this year and January of last year, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the most recent count, 580,466 people were counted as homeless in the U.S. Compared to the numbers from the previous year, this represents a 0.3 percent increase.
While the overall number of homeless individuals decreased by 1 percent, the rate of chronically homeless individuals rose by 2.2 percent. Those who are chronically homeless have disabilities or physical or mental illness, and are more likely to become homeless. Those who are chronically homeless have experienced homelessness four or more times in the last three years.
The report also shows that a significant share of the homeless population live in a relatively small number of places. This is especially true for families with children.
The total number of homeless people in Washington state increased by 1,000 from the previous year. Those families with kids saw a small decrease. However, a large increase in unaccompanied youths was reported.
The report also highlights the rising rate of student homelessness in New York City. During the 2021 school year, one in seven students experienced homelessness. Approximately 69,000 students stayed in the city’s shelters, and more than 29,000 stayed in someone else’s house.
