New York expands use of hotels amid surge in homeless population

New York

FACING a continued surge in the homeless population, New York City officials are aggressively expanding the costly and highly criticised practice of using hotels to plug gaps in the city's strained shelter system.

The increase has been stark: About 12 per cent of the total homeless population is now being housed in hotel rooms, compared with just 4 per cent in January.

On Jan 1, the city was using 508 hotel rooms for homeless families with children, comprising 1,237 people, according to the Department of Homeless Services. On Nov 30, 2,418 rooms were being rented for families with children, amounting to 5,798 people.

Now, the city plans to expand its hotel portfolio for homeless families by up to 436 rooms, with 225 of them reserved for families without minor children - the first time…