In 2011, Picture the Homeless partnered with the Hunter College Center for Community Development to develop and execute a count of vacant buildings and lots in 20 of NYC’s 59 community boards. Our report, Banking on Vacancy, revealed our findings in detail, including this little fact:
NYC VACANT PROPERTIES COULD HOUSE EVERY HOMELESS PERSON… AND THEN SOME!
These results show the outstanding amount of underutilized housing stock that is available in just a third of New York City! By pushing for rehabilitation of the existing vacant buildings the city could create jobs and house people immediately.