Report: City of New York saw 254% increase in first-time shelter seekers in 2023

(The Center Square) - The city of New York homeless population increased by 73% in fiscal year 2023, according to a report put out by the city comptroller that sheds more light on the asylum seeker crisis.

The number of homeless within the city jumped from 46,675 in FY 2022 to 80,724 in FY 2023, according to the report. The city's fiscal years begin July 1.

The number of families entering the Department of Homeless Services and seeking shelter for the first time jumped 254% going from 5,167 to 13,131 in FY 2023.

The report was put out last month by the city comptroller, who also reported in August that more than 22,000 asylum seekers applied for shelter through April 2023. The Department of Homeless Services opened 135 emergency sites between June 2022 and May 2023 to better serve the asylum seekers, according to the city comptroller.

Department of Homeless Services general fund expenditures increased by 38% in FY 2023, going from $2.5 billion the previous year to $3.5 billion, the report stated.

The city of New York said in September that 10,000 asylum seekers come to the city each month.

“Since the large influx of asylum seekers to our city began last spring, we have warned New Yorkers that every city service could be impacted by this crisis if we did not get the support we needed," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a media release. "Coupling the costs of a national crisis that has fallen onto New York City with COVID funding that is running out and reduced revenue growth, our city’s financial future may be at risk if we do not act."