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2d ago

State Audit Says NYC Spent $368 Million on Street Homelessness as Oversight Gaps Persist

The comptroller estimates roughly $81,000 per unsheltered person in FY2025 with spending projected to climb in FY2026.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 29: A homeless person sits with their belongings on the street in Manhattan on December 29, 2025 in New York City. New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has pledged to end sweeps of homeless encampments and plans to create a new Department of Community Safety, which will coordinate homeless outreach and respond to mental health crises. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Street-focused spending more than tripled since 2019, rising from about $102 million to $368 million, with much of the growth tied to low-barrier beds.
  • The unsheltered count increased 26% since 2019 to 4,505, representing roughly 3% of an overall homeless population near 140,000, and the city reports sheltering about 97%.
  • The report warns the Department of Homeless Services does not publish expense details needed to assess unit costs, cost effectiveness, or program impact.
  • Spending on unsheltered services is projected around $456 million in FY2026, with some outlets reporting city estimates near $97,000 per person, figures that may exclude supportive housing, mental‑health teams, and NYPD encampment work.
  • Policy responses include a three‑year $1.86 billion hotel contract for housing and the reinstatement of encampment sweeps after at least 15 cold‑weather deaths, intensifying calls for clearer accounting and results.