Fewer homeless New Yorkers died last year even as population remained at record high, according to city data and advocacy groups tracking mortality among unhoused residents.
Annual Memorial Highlights Unhoused Mortality and Health Crises
Organizers and advocates gathered for the annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on Dec. 18, 2024, at Congregation Rodeph Sholom on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. During the event, attendees read the names of 376 unhoused individuals who died in 2024, accompanied by a tolling bell between each name. The memorial, hosted for over 20 years by Urban Pathways and Care for the Homeless, serves to mourn the dead and highlight the intersection of housing instability and healthcare.
“It’s critically important to recognize our neighbors that don’t get a lot of acknowledgement,” said Frederick Shack, CEO of Urban Pathways, which operates drop-in shelters, supportive housing, and outreach programs. Care for the Homeless President and CEO George Nashak noted that homelessness and healthcare are inextricably tied, pointing to challenges such as maintaining insulin temperatures or finding clean injection needles for chronic conditions like diabetes.
Historical Mortality Data and Shelter Population Trends
While the 376 names read at the December memorial represent a specific cohort crowdsourced from roughly 20 New York City homeless service providers, broader city metrics capture a wider toll. The city reported 840 deaths among people experiencing homelessness during fiscal year 2023—the most recent municipal data available—marking a record high for the fifth straight year.
The recent drop in annual deaths contrasts with record-high populations. Providers noted that individuals memorialized in 2024 ranged in age from 21 to 94, with some passing away shortly before or after securing permanent housing, such as veterans awaiting housing vouchers or individuals who died months after moving into new apartments.
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