On the Streets of NYC
During COVID-19
“Shelter in place” is a dictate that assumes the existence of shelter — the safe, stable, controlled environment that poor people often lack
553K
Homeless Individuals
50
States
19,495
Cities
1
Population To Protect
Information Obtained from:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/how-many-cities-are-in-the-us
https://sf.gov/information/covid-19-and-people-experiencing-homelessness
The Issue
Those experiencing homelessness (sleeping on the street, or in unsafe places not intended for habitation) may be at greater risk for contracting COVID-19. In this case, I am referring to individuals who were homeless prior to the start of COVID-19. In large cities all over the world (New York, for the purpose of this project), a lack of secure housing structures may further contribute to poor physical and mental health, as well as living conditions. While sleeping outdoors may allow people to control the distance between them and others, in the same sense, it may not necessarily provide people with access to proper sanitation and hygiene products and facilities, or the ability to obtain critical healthcare.
Who Experiences Homelessness in New York City?
People of all genders, races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Among those sleeping in city shelters or on streets, more than 11,000 are single men, nearly 4,000 are single women and nearly 46,000 are adults or children in families.
What Causes Homelessness in New York City?
In most cases, multiple factors are involved. Common ones include: mental illness, substance abuse, untreated medical issues, traumatic events, violence and abuse, lack of affordable housing and difficulty sustaining employment.
Maps of Highly-Effected COVID-19 Areas
Description of Map:
In this map, you will find data representing the total number of COVID-19 cases, social distancing scores, and areas of low-income by state and county. We can see that, in New York City, and across the East Coast, COVID-19 cases and social distancing scores seem to be greater in areas of low-income (Johns Hopkins).
Description of Map:
In this map, the purple circles represent the current number of hospital beds in the U.S. Meanwhile, the light orange circles represent the ever-growing number of COVID-19 cases within the U.S. We can see that the majority of the COVID-19 cases occur on the East Coast, and particularly in New York City. This influx in cases is coupled with a lack of available hospital beds, especially for the homeless population (Definitive Healthcare).
Implications of Homelessness During a Pandemic
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Higher risk of infection in homeless shelters and encampments
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Public restrooms are closed
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Soup kitchens closed due to lack of staff and food
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Lack of hygiene and social distancing, due to limited resources and education
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The inability to self-quarantine
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A lack of personal protection equipment and ventilators
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Insufficient computers and WIFI for students to pursue online learning
Impacts on Urban Geography & Infrastructure in New York City
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In recent years, encampments (tent cities) of people experiencing homelessness have become pervasive in communities across New York City
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A hollowed-out state public health infrastructure
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Dilapidated conditions in homeless shelters
Course Terms
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Gentrification
Impacts on Urban Geography & Infrastructure in New York City
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In recent years, encampments (tent cities) of people experiencing homelessness have become pervasive in communities across New York City
-
A hollowed-out state public health infrastructure
-
Dilapidated conditions in homeless shelters
Course Terms
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Gentrification
Uneven Impacts from COVID-19 on Urban Geography & Infrastructure in New York City
Infrastructure
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In recent years, encampments (tent cities) of people experiencing homelessness have become pervasive in communities across New York City
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A hollowed-out state public health infrastructure
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Dilapidated conditions in homeless shelters, which aid in the spread of germs and disease
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Densely-packed hotels to accommodate at-risk, sick, and elderly individuals
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Displacement: As New York is termed "most livable" and used for many redevelopment projects, many, longtime, low income residents are pushed out. Thus, they become homeless and more at risk.
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Territorial Stigmatization: Although there are homeless individuals throughout the entirety of the city, people tend to avoid areas which has been been negatively associated. We can think of these areas as "ghettos".
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Urban Informality: The focus, discussion, and analysis of urban informality to the urban poor; those who commonly live, work, and access services, rights, and entitlements through informal channels and in informal ‘sectors’.