Homelessness

There are many reasons and circumstances that lead people to the "homeless state", in which they have no place to live, no food to eat, no medicine for healthcare, no money for education or spending on whatsoever. Some claim the current downturn economy that makes it hard to find a job, causing unemployment rate increase. The decline in charity organizations’ help and the rise in rental payment make housing unaffordable for low-income households. Many other major impacts such as the lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, which is ranked as the number 1 reason by the New York Times, mental illness, overcrowding, and addiction disorders are also making many people suffer, resulting in homelessness.

The government and the administration have set up shelters providing supports for homeless people. According to New York Times, in September 2007, 1185 families entered shelter. The commissioner of the Department of Homeless Service had promised to "effectively and humanelyprovide services to the city's most vulnerable individuals."