As we talked some about homeless counts this week in class, I started thinking more about the differences between long term and short term homelessness, and what defines these variations among the homeless populations. I came across an article in the New York Times about a family that has been living in shelters in New York for three years now because their landlord kicked them out to “renovate” their apartment complex. Three years later, and they are still living on the streets and shelters. Inspectors keep on checking in on the renovation process and continue to find that nothing is being done. Being that New York is such an increasingly expensive city to live in, the family this article focuses on does not have the financial means to find somewhere more permanent to live while waiting on their landlord to welcome them back into their home. This story exposes trends of gentrification, unfair bureaucracy, and power that affect homeless populations all across the country, not just in New York. It also shows the distinctions between long term and short term homelessness; both situations are difficult to find yourself in, but no matter if you have been homeless for one year or five, there are always remnants of optimism and positivity that it will soon end. This family continues to believe that despite the power their landlord and their city holds over them, something positive is to come.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/nyregion/while-the-landlord-renovates-life-in-a-homeless-shelter.html