Posted on March 9, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone More than 60,000 New Yorkers are homeless. It’s important to keep in mind that behind the alarming statistics, there are thousands of individual men, women and children – each with his or her own identity and story. A recent BBC News segment features the Coalition’s Grand Central Food Program and offers a glimpse into the lives of a few New Yorkers who count themselves among the 60,000 without homes. The devastating reality is that many people become homeless through unforeseen circumstances, often beyond their control. This includes Maurice, who used to run a call center before losing his job and eventually his home. Now, he has to resort to asking for change on the street. His heartbreaking trajectory is all too common. With skyrocketing rents throughout New York City, even people with full-time jobs are not always able to afford an apartment. As the BBC reporter explains, “Manhattan has the biggest income gap in America, and the rich are pricing the poor out of the housing market.” One victim of the housing affordability crisis is Nandy. Despite having a job in financial services, she lives in a shelter with her three children. Maurice summarized it plainly: “It happens. It happens to the best of us, unfortunately.” It is crucial that we listen to the stories of the 60,000 homeless New Yorkers – and work with them to end the catastrophe of homelessness. To hear more stories of people struggling with homelessness, visit our Voices from the Frontline page.
