Fact Check: "New York's homeless population skyrocketed from 37,000 to 52,000 under Cuomo."
What We Know
The claim that New York's homeless population increased from 37,000 to 52,000 during Andrew Cuomo's tenure as governor is based on data regarding the number of individuals in the city's shelter system. According to the Charting Homelessness in NYC, the number of individuals in New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters grew significantly over the years, particularly from 2015 to 2020, when the population remained high. In January 2020, the number of individuals in DHS shelters was reported at approximately 62,679, which is higher than the figures mentioned in the claim.
The Coalition for the Homeless states that as of 2021, there were about 44,586 individuals in DHS shelters, which was the lowest recorded in nearly a decade. However, this number does not directly correlate to the claim of a rise from 37,000 to 52,000, as it does not provide a clear timeline or context for the figures cited.
Analysis
The claim suggests a specific increase in the homeless population under Cuomo, but the data does not support a straightforward interpretation. The numbers cited (37,000 and 52,000) do not appear in the primary sources, and the context of the increase is crucial. The NYC Comptroller's report indicates that the shelter population has fluctuated significantly due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in housing policies.
Furthermore, the increase in the homeless population can be attributed to multiple factors, including rising rents, economic downturns, and the influx of asylum seekers beginning in 2022, which has further complicated the situation (Coalition for the Homeless). The claim lacks specificity regarding the time frame and does not account for the broader context of homelessness trends in New York City.
The sources used in this analysis, including the Independent Budget Office and the Coalition for the Homeless, are credible and provide a comprehensive overview of homelessness in New York City. However, they do not provide definitive numbers that directly support the claim of a rise from 37,000 to 52,000 during Cuomo's administration.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
While there has been a significant increase in the homeless population in New York City during Andrew Cuomo's tenure, the specific figures of 37,000 to 52,000 are not substantiated by the available data. The increase in the shelter population is real, but the claim oversimplifies a complex issue and lacks precise data to support the exact numbers mentioned.
Sources
- DiNapoli: Numbers of Homeless Population Doubled in New York
- Charting Homelessness in NYC
- New Yorkers in Need: Homelessness in New York State
- How many people are homeless in NYC altogether?
- Fiscal Brief - Independent Budget Office
- Homelessness in New York Statistics: A Comprehensive Overview
- NYC's Unsheltered Homeless Population Reaches Highest Number in More Than a Decade
- Addressing New York's Housing Crisis
