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Average number of families with children in shelters per day
Provide temporary emergency housing to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. — Ensure that individuals and families have access to emergency shelter and services.
The number of families with children in DHS shelters more than doubled between FY22 and FY24, which the agency's own reporting ties directly to the wave of asylum-seeking families arriving in New York City since spring 2022. Growth leveled off in FY25 (18,652 to 18,767) as entries slowed and the city expanded exits to permanent housing, marking a stabilization after two years of rapid increases.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DHS, Fiscal 2024 Mayor's Management Report, DHS, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 8,505 families |
| FY23 | 12,749 families |
| FY24 | 18,652 families |
| FY25 | 18,767 families |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
Why this is tracked
In Callahan v. Carey, a class action filed in 1979, a New York court ruled the state and city had a constitutional duty to shelter homeless men, citing New York's constitution. A consent decree finalized in 1981 formalized the City's obligation to provide food, shelter, supervision and security, and later cases, Eldredge v. Koch in 1982 and McCain v. Koch in 1986, extended that right to shelter to women and families. The Department of Homeless Services was created in 1993 to carry out this legal mandate and became an independent mayoral agency in 1999.
Callahan v. Carey - Wikipedia, The Callahan Legacy - Coalition For The Homeless
Source: DHS CARES Database — via NYC Open Data: Mayor's Management Report, Agency Performance Indicators
Coverage shown: FY22–FY26, reported monthly.
Definition: The average daily census of families with children in shelter at noon for the month. Does not include families that may not yet be assigned or are in transition to shelter at noon and those placed in overnight facilities.