🏠 People on the Streets – Homelessness Trends (New York & California)
Homelessness trends in New York and California (2010–2023), illustrating the impact of temporary COVID-19 policies and the subsequent rebound
Spatial distribution of homelessness in New York (top) and California (bottom), highlighting concentration in high-poverty and high rent-burden areas (Author’s analysis)
Research Question
How have homelessness patterns changed in New York and California between 2010 and 2020?
Background
Homelessness is driven by complex structural factors, but a critical contributor remains the growing gap between housing affordability and income growth. This project examines long-term homelessness trends in two major U.S. regions to understand how policy interventions and market conditions intersect over time.
Data & Methods
- Homelessness data: CoC-based counts (2010–2020)
- Socioeconomic indicators: ACS data (poverty rates, rent burden, median rent)
- Methods: GIS spatial analysis, regional comparison
- Communication: ArcGIS StoryMaps for spatial storytelling and policy interpretation
Key Findings
- Homelessness trends varied by region but remained closely linked to housing affordability pressures.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary declines or stabilization were observed in some areas.
- These shifts coincided with eviction moratoria and emergency rental assistance programs.
- Following the expiration of these programs, homelessness rebounded sharply, revealing the fragility of short-term interventions.
Policy Implications
- Temporary relief measures were effective in preventing a deeper crisis but insufficient to address structural housing shortages.
- Shelter capacity and support services remain inadequate relative to growing demand.
- Long-term policy responses must focus on affordability, housing supply, and income stability.
While temporary measures such as eviction moratoria and emergency rental assistance played a critical role during the pandemic, the sharp resurgence in homelessness following their expiration highlights the limitations of short-term solutions.
This underscores the need for more sustainable approaches, such as “Housing First,” which prioritize permanent housing as the foundation for long-term stability.
Ultimately, addressing homelessness requires a sustained commitment to structural solutions that ensure stable, affordable housing and long-term support systems.