Pandemic pushes homelessness in New York City to record levels with more than 20,000 single adults in shelters and thousands more sleeping on the streets

The numbers of homelessness on the streets of New York City has risen to record levels as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with more than 20,000 single adults spending each night in shelters. 

Homelessness in the city has reached levels not seen since the Great Depression with more than 57,000 homeless people as of October. An all-time record of 20,210 single adults, the highest than at any other time in the history, slept in shelters; with 15,369 single men and a near record of 4,841 single women. 

Research shows that the primary cause of homelessness, particularly among families, is lack of affordable housing. But the pandemic has seen those numbers rise - despite a moratorium on rental evictions - as tens of thousands lost their jobs amid lockdowns and restrictions on businesses.

Reports of domestic abuse have also soared which may also lead to more people seeking refuge in shelters.

The New York City Department of Social Services added that many prisoners were released early due to the pandemic, and placed into emergency housing.   

And with the eviction moratorium ending in January, and the enhanced unemployment benefits many have relied on since March ending on December 26, it's likely the numbers of homeless will continue to soar.

They stay wherever they can find space. In the abandoned doorways of shops that have closed down, on subway platforms or even slumped on uncomfortable staircases.

On Friday night, dozens of homeless were spotted in and around the city's Penn Station. In any normal year, the station would be thronging with commuters going to and from their city jobs or with partygoers coming into the city for a night on the town. 

A woman is pictured slumped on the staircase at New York's Penn Station on Friday night. With nowhere else to go, this was her best option

A man can be seen using the tiled floor of the iconic transport hub as his bed for the night, clinging onto his coat for comfort

Although there is still space in city homeless shelters, all too often the warmth of the city's railway station is more attactive

Shops that closed often make for the perfect, sheltered spot to lie down and to try and get some rest

The high numbers do not include those sleeping on the streets or in private shelters. 

The coronavirus has affected New York's homeless population more than other demographics with the Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing estimating the mortality rate to be 78% higher than the citywide average between May and August of this year.    

'If there is one thing the pandemic has taught us, it is that housing is health care. Our homeless neighbors need the safety and stability of a home,' said Giselle Routhier, policy director of Coalition for the Homeless to CBS News.

'Drivers of homelessness like these are preventable — and we remain committed to doing everything we can to prevent homelessness where possible and to connect the New Yorkers who come to us with the permanent housing that will help them find stability for the long-term,' a DSS spokesperson said. The department helps to rehouse at-risk families and provides assistance for those facing evictions.

The CDC says the homeless population are 'particularly vulnerable' as a group with clear links between the rise of COVID-19 and the increase in the numbers of emergency shelters being used.

NEW YORK CITY HOMELESSNESS: THE FACTS

Another homeless man can be spotted sitting beneath the departure board. His destination will be Penn Station tonight

Another homeless man beds down for the night in Penn Station using his only bag for a pillow, with his shoes at his side

Outside of the station one man begs for cash or food as masked New Yorkers go about their evening's business

City officials say that without city programs, numbers of those in shelters might have been as high as 71,000. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio said even during the pandemic, a massive outreach has continued to get the homeless off the streets and into shelters and help. 

'They need mental health services. They need substance misuse services. Obviously, everyone ultimately needs affordable housing or supportive housing,' de Blasio said. 

Braving the chilly December temperatures, a man stands outside with two suitcases as he eats a packet of chips

A man is pictured sitting at the top of the stairs to Penn Station possibly wondering if he should spend the night here or head to a city shelter 

A homeless man who appears to be in some discomfort is spoken to by officers from the NYPD on Friday evening

There are 20,000 single adults in New York City shelters but sometimes a shop doorway may be more appealing

Another homeless person is seen sitting on the steps to a New York CIty subway station on Friday night

A homeless person can be see in the doorway of a shuttered AMC cinema in Kips Bay on the east side of Manhattan

A woman wearing a mask walks near a homeless veteran sitting in front of the newly unveiled holiday windows at Macy's

A panhandler sits by the newly unveiled holiday windows outside of Macy's as two children, blissfully unaware, stand close by

A homeless man is ignored by masked New Yorkers as he holds his cup out for some spare change

A man sits outside of Macy's holding a cup in the hope that he might be able to receive some change from passing shoppers

Earlier in the pandemic, hundreds of homeless people were put up in luxury hotels on Manhattan's Upper West Side by the city as part of its efforts to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in shelters. 

In July, it emerged that 139 of the city's iconic hotels - which had been forced closed for months - had agreed to take in homeless people for $175 per person, per night as part of a scheme by the city to try to avoid a breakout of COVID-19 in homeless shelters. The scheme ran until October. 

The move sparked complaints from residents of the upscale neighborhood who demanded the homeless shelter be moved elsewhere. 

The homeless-in-hotels scheme set up by de Blasio is one of many components to an escalating downward change in the city. Many of New York's wealthy residents fled months ago - taking their disposable income and their tax dollars with them - and there are fears they may never come back. 

The homeless were moved from dorm-style accommodation around the city to the hotels so that they could be housed one or two to a room in order to protect them from Covid-19 more effectively. 

Large numbers of homeless men moved into three hotels in New York City's Upper West Side this summer much to the dismay of local residents, who complained of drug use, public urination and cat calling. Pictured: A group of people who appear to be homeless loiter at Broadway and West 95th in July

Homeless men were moved from dorm-style accommodation to the hotels in July so that they could have one or two people to each room - limiting the spread of Covid-19.Pictured: A group of men loiter at Broadway and 79th Street

Upper West Side residents reported seeing homeless men around the hotels urinating in public, openly using drugs and passed out on the sidewalk

Local Upper West Side residents feared that the homeless situation in the area was a ticking time bomb, with it costing authorities $175 a night to house a single person in the hotels

In the summer local residents reported seeing fights, being verbally abused or harassed. A homeless person is seen sleeping on a couch on the Upper West Side