AGENCY TESTIMONY
Current statistics on homeless veterans in NYC and the goal of functional zero
0:17:25
ยท
47 sec
Commissioner Hendon presents current statistics on homeless veterans in New York City and discusses the goal of reaching 'functional zero'.
- The number of veterans in NYC's shelter system has declined by more than 85% over the past 13 years
- From 4,677 in February 2011 to 624 in 2024 (3 of whom were street homeless)
- The goal of 'functional zero' is defined as 400 or fewer veterans in the shelter system
- Reaching this goal has been challenging due to:
- Influx of housing insecure veterans from across America
- Remaining cases being disproportionately complex
- Commissioner emphasizes that reaching and maintaining a count below 400 will be difficult but achievable
James Hendon
0:17:25
The number of veterans in New York City's shelter system has declined by more than 85% over the past thirteen years from 4,677 in 02/2011 to 624 in 2024, '3 of whom were street homeless according to the twenty twenty four point in time count.
0:17:41
That being said, reaching a goal of functional zero, that is 400 or fewer veterans in the shelter system, has been elusive.
0:17:47
The combination of housing insecure veterans from across America coming to New York City, coupled with the fact that what remains of what was almost 5,000 homeless veterans more than a decade ago is a group that is disproportionately complex cases.
0:18:00
This makes the work vital.
0:18:01
We will reach and maintain a count lower than 400 in the future.
0:18:05
It will be hard.
0:18:06
This is an all hands on deck situation.
0:18:09
Three suggestions for how the city council can help us get there.