Lauren Andrews on 2010 Homeless Count

NYC Street Survey
Faith House Serve Together
January 2010

~ by Lauren Andrews

I’ve never really thought about how hard it must be to include the homeless in the census and to get an accurate count in order to provide services for them. When Bara Levitt posted the opportunity to take part in counting, I hesitated…the time (10:30 pm – 4:00 am) and wandering NYC streets with people I barely knew seemed quite overwhelming. But this was a concrete opportunity to do a small something to help with an issue that plagues me every time I walk down the streets here, so I decided to go for it.

Five of us met together at a diner that Bara discovered for us before we went to meet the others who would be counting. We had some interesting conversations, and my fears began to be assuaged by the group. When we arrived at Hunter College, I was shocked at just how many people were volunteering. It was great to see.

Our group was given three areas to count, and we were to wait to start counting until midnight. We were instructed to speak to everyone we saw outside unless they were sleeping. We started at the 96th Street subway station. It was awkward having so many people together when we saw the first person we believed was homeless. Samir was helpful in giving me directions as to how not to be intrusive while another Faith House volunteer approached the man. We then figured out a system where two of us would approach the person and the others would hang back.

All in all we saw about five homeless people ranging in age from their twenties to forties. The majority of the other people we encountered were out walking their dogs at one o’clock in the morning. We were finished around 2:15 am, for which I was thankful, and I trucked back home to Brooklyn. When I got to the bus stop by my house, I realized I would have to wait 45 minutes for the next bus. I hailed a cab to take me home, thankful that I had some cash to pay for it and an apartment to go home to with my cat welcoming me home.

One thing I learned that night that stuck me was that New York is required by law to house every homeless person seeking shelter. I wondered how many of the homeless knew this and could resource ways to get shelter and if they couldn’t to hold the city accountable. Once again I was reminded of how many obstacles are in the way for people who have fallen on hard times to get back on their feet.

I come from a city where if you saw a homeless person you were at a “safe” distance in your car to avoid the myriad of emotions that go into awareness of privilege and responsibility to help others. In the almost two years I’ve been here, I still have a myriad of emotions each time I see someone in need and feel powerless to help. I am learning, however, that to acknowledge the humanity of those in need, to not look away out of my own discomfort, is one of the most important things that people need.

Thanks Bara for finding this opportunity to participate!