Let them eat cake

New York City began the New Year with the largest numbers of men, women and especially children crowding into its shelters since the city began keeping records 20 years ago...at least 16,600 were children, 18 and under. They constitute 43 percent of municipal shelter residents and are by far the largest and fastest-growing segment.

...The average stay for families and their children in the shelters has nearly doubled from 6 months in 1992 to 11 months today.

The numbers have increased only gradually in the last 12 months, but the plateau they have reached is almost twice the number compared to six years ago.

...These figures do not include all those people who do not stay in shelters, but sleep on the streets, in the subways and in vacant buildings.

...Families applying for shelter face seemingly endless obstacles in their quest to put a roof over their heads. In this sprawling city of over 8,000,000 people, there is only one “intake center” where families can apply, located in the Bronx, hours by bus and subway from many parts of the city. Once there, applicants must present extensive documentation, such as birth certificates, eviction notices, names, phone numbers and Social Security numbers of relatives and ex-spouses.

...There are definite economic trends underlying the rise in homelessness. New York City has lost more than 200,000 private-sector jobs since January 2001. Although recent reports indicate a small increase in the number of jobs, most are in the lowest paying service sectors, such as restaurants and hotels.

Another factor is the sharp decline in affordable housing. ...

In addition, city and state authorities have been undermining the rent control laws, further pushing rents up. Workers employed in one of the low-wage industries are increasingly forced to choose between paying the rent and feeding their families.

...A recent report issued by the US Conference of Mayors [see “Hunger and homelessness in the US continues to rise in 2003”] surveying 25 cities demonstrates that the increase of homelessness and homeless families in New York City is typical of what is taking place throughout the country.

...The mayors’ report concluded that the major causes for this increase of hunger and homelessness were an increase in unemployment, low wages and the high cost of housing. It predicted that these problems will only worsen in 2004. This crisis can be best described as a national epidemic of homelessness that is destroying the family life and health of the poor, and affecting the most vulnerable section of the population—children.  article

Happy New Year in the world's richest country.


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