Thousands Join All-Night Count Of NYC's Homeless Population

MURRAY HILL, NY — Volunteers gathered in Murray Hill Monday to begin an all-night tally of homeless people in New York City.

The late-night expedition was sending almost 4,000 New Yorkers into the city’s parks, subways and numerous public spaces on Jan. 22 to count how many people live without shelter in the five boroughs, according to the Department of Homeless Services.

Last year’s count found that the number of New Yorkers living in shelters and on the streets was about 76,500, which was 1,000 more than in 2016.

A similar study from New York City’s Department of Education discovered that 10 percent of children enrolled in the city’s public schools are homeless.

Health and Human Services officials were leading a demonstration inside P.S. 116 at 210 East 33rd St. around 10 p.m. before sending volunteers out into the streets, officials said.

Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks and Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter were expected to deliver remarks, as well as various elected officials.

The homeless population estimate will be used by the city’s outreach teams who try to find shelter for New York’s homeless population, officials said.

The city amped up those homeless outreach programs this winter as temperatures plummeted and left people without a warm place to sleep at risk.

This annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will take place in cities across the nation, officials said.

Photo courtesy of Spencer Platt/Getty Images