We can solve homelessness in New York City. RxHome is a nonprofit organization bringing New Yorkers together to voice our support for proven solutions to prevent and end homelessness. Founded by former members of New York City’s Department of Homeless Services, RxHome is engaging New Yorkers, as well as candidates running for elected office, to help them better understand this issue and the proven policies that can put an end to our city’s homelessness crisis.

On a single night in January 2020, 77,934 people experienced homelessness in New York City -- including almost 24,000 children. Just in the last decade, family homelessness has risen approximately 40% in New York City. 

Permanent, affordable housing solves homelessness. But New York City has responded to this crisis with an outdated, linear homeless service system that prioritizes emergency shelters ahead of permanent housing. This broken “shelter first” system simply manages homelessness and acts as a band-aid rather than a permanent solution. Instead of preventing homelessness, New York City’s homeless services mandate a minimum 90-day shelter stay for most families to qualify for rental assistance, resulting in nearly 700 families entering shelter each month.

We need to change this decades old approach of prioritizing shelter over housing and connect everyone to a home. Join us in building the public demand and political will to prevent and end homelessness in New York City.