On the week of January 25, one of the largest snowstorms of the season swept all across the US, bringing freezing temperatures, vicious snowfall, and power outages along its way. People huddled in their homes around the fireplace, waiting for the cold to subside. For those with a roof over their heads, fortunate enough with central heating, the snowstorm was nothing but an exotic scenery—some even praying for the storm to last longer for a few days away from work or school. However, a certain group of people were on the brink of death as they braced the snowstorm: the homeless.
On January 30, The City news reported ten homeless deaths due to the snowstorm in New York City. Three days later, Spectrum News upped the count to 16. In a briefing, Mayor Zohran Mamdani concluded that “In 13 of these cases, preliminary findings indicate that hypothermia played a role, and three of these deaths appear to be overdose deaths.” According to Mamdani, none of the victims lived in a homeless encampment. He reported a continuous effort to provide shelter for homeless people and promised that “If you are hearing me speak right now and you are not sure if you will be looked after, please, let me make myself clear: Every single person will be cared for. No one will be turned away.”
Legitimate grounds exist as to why certain homeless people choose to remain on the streets rather than staying at a government-run shelter. On the surface, these shelters seem like a more ideal place, as it provides heating, food, and shelter from the harsh winter conditions. However, for years people have voiced their concerns for their possessions and safety in shelters. There are in fact minimal restrictions on what people could not do to each other in shelters. David Griffen, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless said, “They are low barriers, smaller shelters with looser rules,” in an interview on January 31.
As below-zero temperatures are predicted to stretch on for weeks, it is hard to imagine what the country’s homeless population is enduring. According to the Community Shelter Board, the U.S. government had increased the budget for Housing and Urban Development by $7.2 billion on February 4, hoping to ameliorate the homelessness situation. For the homeless population, this would mean a higher chance of surviving the harsh winter. It is hard to ignore how fortunate and privileged we are to be at CA. If you are interested in giving back to the community, donating to homeless shelters is a great way to do so. Even a small sum of money could make a large difference.