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NYC desperately seeks volunteers for homeless count after weather-related delay
By
Karen Yi
Published Mar 6, 2026
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Karen Yi / Gothamist
By
Karen Yi
Published Mar 6, 2026
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The Mamdani administration is still looking for New Yorkers to help count the number of people sleeping on the street as the annual census of unsheltered homeless people approaches.
The yearly tally, known as the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, or HOPE count, was supposed to take place in January but was rescheduled for Tuesday because of the winter storm and bitter cold stretch.
The survey is required for cities receiving federal funds and helps steer funding and resources toward homeless New Yorkers.
“Our volunteer numbers are at 50% of what they usually are, so I urge you to help us meet our mark and join our teams to canvass streets, parks and subways across all five boroughs,” Patricia Britton, assistant commissioner for the city's Department of Homeless Services, said in a video message on social media.
A record-high 4,500 people were found sleeping in public spaces last year, about 360 more than the year before.
Still, New York City maintains the lowest numbers of street-homeless people compared to other major U.S. cities, thanks in large part to its right-to-shelter mandate. About 3% of homeless New Yorkers sleep outdoors, while in Los Angeles, 70% of homeless people are living on the street, according to official data.
The Mamdani administration said it's working to bring more street-homeless people into shelter or housing through increased outreach efforts and more accommodating shelter spaces. The administration this week announced plans to shutter a massive Midtown men’s shelter in dire need of repair.
To sign up for the HOPE count, you can visit NYC.gov/HOPE or call 311. The count will take place on Tuesday, March 10, from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. the following morning.
Tagged
Zohran Mamdani
homelessness
housing
new york city
Karen Yi
Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.
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