How much do the homeless cost to New Yorkers: shocking numbers

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, taxpayers have been paying up to $ 1 million per day to house the homeless in New York, and at the moment there is no end in sight. Writes about it ABC7NY.

When the pandemic broke out, the city relocated more than 12 homeless people from overcrowded shelters to more than 000 hotels to keep them safe and socially remote. However, concerned neighbors say that by solving one problem, the city created another.

From the Upper West Side to Midtown and downtown, neighbors have reported a variety of issues around temporary homeless hotels, from street fights to drug use.

“They are out of control, people need help here,” said neighbor Joe Restuccia. "They run naked down the street."

“People just don't feel safe,” said Travis Rogers, who lives near one of the hotels.

While vaccines are now widely available to vulnerable populations, city leaders say they have no timetable for when or whether temporary hotel stays will be vaccinated and when they will be transferred back to shelters.

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Meanwhile, it costs the city a lot more than they originally expected from the hotels, up to $ 1 million a night. Some neighbors feel that there is a lack of ongoing assistance and social services to help men and women get back on their feet.

“We are told that we are not compassionate, we sympathize that they are poorly served by social service operators, and this is the main problem here,” Restuccia said.

“I just need a plan from our leaders,” Rogers said. "I haven't heard anyone make difficult decisions or come up with a sensible plan."

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The city's Department of Human Services said in a lengthy statement that they do not know when they will return people to shelters, are trying to provide additional security for hotels and make safe decisions.

During a press conference Thursday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the homeless would be transferred back to shelters in the next two months.

“Our goal is to vacate hotels and return people to traditional shelters, and soon we will have a better idea of ​​how to do this,” the mayor said.