Opinion: Vacant Lots And Properties Could House New York City’s Homeless
Not since the Great Depression has New York City faced such a critical shortage in affordable housing. The city’s population of unsheltered homeless people has risen a staggering 40 percent since last year, according to the most recent annual count. New York is now home to one out of every seven homeless people in the country.
Of course, harrowing statistics alone don’t tell the story of the real New Yorkers suffering from the lack of an adequate solution to homelessness. People like Cecelia Grant, who spent her career as a school safety agent for New York City public schools, and is now living in a shelter. People like Jermain Abdullah, who lives in a shelter, and is an active member of his community board. . .