Every Child Deserves A Place to Call Home
By Nafissatou Yattassaye, Volunteer Writer and Reporter at Mentor A Promise
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| Homeless in Harold Square -- 1990 by PEDUTO |
A home is often defined as a physical structure, such as a building, apartment, or trailer. However, for many, it symbolizes stability, comfort, belonging, and safety. A home should be accessible for everyone, regardless of demographic background. In New York City, that means confronting youth housing instability, especially as Federal Medicaid work requirements could make it harder for unhoused individuals who often lack stable jobs or housing to maintain Medicaid coverage. These requirements could increase their vulnerability if they lose critical health support. Expanding development programs and improving access to education may reduce these risks. Many news reports, including amNY, show that last year alone, 154,000 NYC students were homeless. That number is equivalent to “one in seven students enrolled in the nation's largest public system” [1], and the question is, how did we get here?
Understanding this number means confronting the heart of NYC’s affordable housing crisis, a root cause of youth homelessness. NYC, celebrated for its culture and energy, now faces one of its worst housing shortages in decades. In October 2025, 86,000 New Yorkers stayed in city-run shelters, while the median renter spent 31% of income on housing [2]. Barely half of Section 8 voucher holders secured apartments before vouchers expired. Many families are extremely close to displacement not only because of family instability, but due to the city’s persistent lack of accessible, affordable housing. This shortage drives children and families into shelters and fuels the sweeping youth homelessness crisis.
For many residents, these numbers aren’t surprising. Juleefha Thomas, who was featured in Susanti's The Imprint article "As Number of Homeless Students in NYC Hits Record High, Advocates Call for Community Help," found these numbers to be accurate. Thomas and her 7-year-old son have been living in and out of shelters despite working a full-time job delivering packages for Amazon. She has tried to search for permanent housing; however, her vouchers would get denied due to being discriminated against by “landlords unwilling to accept tenants for using the rental assistance” [3]. Being denied access to housing because a family relies on government assistance reflects systematic classism that marginalizes those facing economic hardship. This leaves families, such as Thomas with her son, constantly seeking new shelter placements, not knowing which borough they may end up in next.
Frequent moves between shelters disrupt children’s access to education. Constant school changes hinder learning, and families are often forced to choose between long commutes and school withdrawal, leading to higher absences than among permanently housed students.
Research shows students in shelters are three times more likely to drop out of school than housed peers. Housing instability deeply impacts academic performance and may perpetuate cycles of homelessness [3].
Advocates For Children, along with many other nonprofit organizations such as Children's Aid, are helping families in need by providing groceries, school supplies, and furniture. Some coordinators working alongside these families would even offer their children rides to and from school so they don't miss out on learning opportunities. A pilot program was put in place, funded by the Department of Education in partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services, “offering $500,000 from COVID relief funds” [3]. This program allowed coordinators and families to build trust among themselves, ask for help, and raise school attendance by approximately 70%.
Mentor A Promise, another nonprofit organization located in NYC, is empowering youth in temporary housing. This is done through mentorship, academic support, and programs that help these children build resilience and find opportunities regardless of their circumstances. This program partners with shelters, schools, and community organizations to guide and develop students' skills and to offer volunteer opportunities, such as myself, that help elevate and support their mission.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani ran his campaign on a range of ways to address issues in NYC, including gentrification and homelessness. One way to combat this issue is to improve shelters and fund programs that provide food assistance and improve the lives of those in need. Mamdani believes it is important to update outreach programs to push policymakers to improve the fragmented system. He suggests that we pay our workers and programs on time to keep them ongoing. Expediting housing placements and investing in affordable housing will address homelessness and help keep individuals in shelters in the long term[4].
Last but not least, Mamdani is looking to address homelessness by improving workforce programs, education, and job access. Under the upcoming Federal Medicaid work requirements, Medicaid recipients must provide proof of employment, training, or schooling to stay covered[4]. This policy may create barriers for people experiencing homelessness, since unstable housing often means they cannot meet reporting requirements or access opportunities to gain and verify employment. As a result, many may lose vital health coverage and support. Improving development programs and access to education and jobs can help address these challenges by providing vulnerable people with ways to meet eligibility requirements and promoting long-term stability.
NYC is hopeful about moving in the right direction. Nonprofit organizations like Advocates For Children, Children's Aid, and Mentor A Promise are key in providing services, advocacy, and educational support, helping youth stay engaged in school despite homelessness. Alongside newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani, we urge you to take action: support efforts to tackle homelessness by volunteering, advocating for policy changes, or assisting organizations working on the front lines. Together, we can ensure every child and family has the opportunity to thrive and your involvement truly makes a real difference.
Check out our organization, Mentor A Promise, to learn more about what we do and how to get involved in the mission to change the lives of our students today!
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