Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Andy NewmanReporting from New York City

New York is conducting its annual estimate of homeless people on the street this week. Some advocates expect an increase because many people now avoid dorm-like shelters, and because of displaced workers.

Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Andy NewmanReporting from New York City

Peter Malvan, who was homeless for years and now distributes meals, told me the city has been aggressively evicting encampments. “It’s going to be much harder to find people and get an accurate count,” he said.

Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Andy NewmanReporting from New York City

This man also lost his restaurant job and lives in a tent near the train tracks in Elmhurst, Queens, just three blocks from his old apartment. “There’s four of us in here,” he told me. “All of us are looking for work.”

Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Andy NewmanReporting from New York City

The nighttime survey began Tuesday and runs through Friday.

Last year, the city estimated there were 3,850 homeless people on the street.

Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Andy NewmanReporting from New York City

Henry Contois, 43, drifted up from Florida last August and has been living mostly on a bench near Barclays Center station. Last month, he told me, “I saw snow for the first time.”

Counting the People Living on New York’s Streets

Andy NewmanReporting from New York City

Bazán, 28, had been sending $500 a week home to Mexico. Now he scrapes by recycling cans.“I think this is temporary,” he told me. “But if I don’t find a job by summer, I think I’m going back to Mexico.”