Homelessness in city schools rises with recession

More than 15,000 families across New York City have children in homeless shelters.

For a student in the New York City homeless shelter system, leaving school at 6 p.m. can mean going home to loud or messy neighbors, bed bugs, or the possibility of having to move again.

“The quality of home life is poor, even though they have four walls, a door, and a ceiling,” said Amier Carmel, a social worker at Democracy Prep Charter School on West 133rd Street. “In the shelter [system], they can’t count on a regular home. It might be month to month, or week to week that kids are moved.”

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By Jessica Hills

Published March 2, 2010