Homeless New Yorkers are far more likely to die of COVID-19, report finds

Mayor Bill de Blasio (left) and Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks began addressing COVID-19 in homeless shelters in March. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

By David Brand

Homeless New Yorkers living in shelters are far more likely to die from COVID-19 than their peers, according to a report published Tuesday by the Coalition for the Homeless.

The report, “Pandemic Pandemonium for New Yorkers Without Homes,” analyzes the  COVID-19 mortality rate for homeless New Yorkers and takes the city and state to task for exposing the homeless to the illness via inadequate housing and a lack of private shelter space. 

 "Countless missteps have placed an already at-risk community, who lack the security, safety and privacy of a home, in even greater danger — physically, mentally and economically,” said Coalition for the Homeless Deputy Executive Director for Policy Shelly Nortz.

Homeless New York City residents, many of whom have underlying health conditions, are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and have died at a rate 61 percent higher than their non-homeless peers, the report finds. The study shows that deaths among the city’s shelter population increased by 157 percent in April compared to April 2019.

 “Government responses to the pandemic at every level have been far too slow and have led to unnecessary chaos for those sleeping in shelters, on the streets and on the subway,” Nortz said.

As of May 31, at least 926 people in 179 homeless shelters had confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the Coalition for the Homeless. Roughly 60,000 New Yorkers sleep in Department of Homeless Services shelters each night

COVID-19 has moved swiftly through New York City and it shelters — a reality recognized by shelter residents and formerly homeless New Yorkers months ago.

 The Eagle first reported on the potential surge of COVID-19 in shelters on March 5 with a story that featured perspective from Nikita Price, an activist and organizer with Picture the Homeless. Price, who was formerly homeless before finding an apartment for himself and his two daughters in the Bronx, fought hard for the rights of the homeless. 

 Less than three months after the story was published, Price died.

“This is a population that’s probably going to be neglected in a lot of the conversations around this,” Price said at the time. “Everyone needs to be put on notice about this.”