NYC Spends as Much Per Homeless Person as Median Income

New York City's homelessness spending raises questions about efficiency and accountability.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new report from the New York State Comptroller Office reveals New York City spent roughly as much per homeless person as the city's median household income last fiscal year. The data reflects a central tension in New York City's homelessness debate, with record-high spending alongside persistent, visible homelessness.

Why it matters

The data raises serious questions about the efficiency and accountability of New York City's homelessness spending. If the city is effectively spending the equivalent of a median income per homeless individual each year, it suggests the money may not be translating to meaningful outcomes. Taxpayers are also footing the bill while many working New Yorkers struggle with housing costs, inflation, and stagnant wages.

The details

Looking at the city's $368 million spending on homelessness efforts in fiscal 2025 and dividing that by the roughly 4,000 number of homeless individuals the comptroller reported the same year, that's roughly $81,705 spent per homeless person. Meanwhile, the Census Reporter estimated the household median income at $81,228 in New York City for 2024. The 'per-person' homelessness spending typically reflects system-wide costs, including shelters, medical care, mental health services, security, administration, and emergency services, rather than direct cash or housing support provided to individuals.

  • In fiscal 2025, New York City spent $368 million on homelessness efforts.
  • In 2024, the Census Reporter estimated the household median income in New York City at $81,228.

The players

New York State Comptroller Office

The state agency that released the report on New York City's homelessness spending.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City.

Tom DiNapoli

The New York State Comptroller who wrote the report on homelessness spending.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“NYC spends more per homeless person than the median NYC household earns. $81,705 per person in FY2025. And $81,705 is a floor. It excludes supportive housing (~$500M/yr), mental health response teams, and NYPD encampment costs. The city projects ~$97K per person in FY2026.”

— X user @charliesmirkley (Twitter)

“It's a clarion call to make sure every dollar counts. We should have better outcomes when the city spends this amount of money on homeless services. You must understand where the money is going.”

— Scott Stringer, Former City Comptroller (New York Post)

What’s next

The data comparison is likely to intensify scrutiny of New York City's homelessness budget, particularly as city officials weigh spending priorities. Lawmakers, watchdog groups, and advocacy organizations could push for clearer accounting of how per-person homelessness costs are calculated and what outcomes those expenditures produce.

The takeaway

This data highlights the complex challenges of addressing homelessness in New York City, with high spending not translating to clear improvements. It raises questions about the efficiency and accountability of the city's homelessness programs, as well as the broader affordability and cost-of-living issues impacting many New Yorkers.