Volunteers Of America, Greater New York, Aug 22, 2026,

NEW YORK (August 17, 2026) — More than 4,500 New Yorkers choose to sleep on the street rather than enter a city shelter, according to a new report from Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY), one of New York City’s largest and longest-serving shelter providers. The report explains why, and lays out a practical blueprint for change.

“Restoring Dignity: A Blueprint for a Trauma-Informed Shelter System in New York City”documents how decades of rapid expansion left the system reliant on aging, converted buildings poorly suited to housing people in crisis. Outdated approval processes and insufficient funding have made meaningful improvements difficult, sometimes impossible, and conditions inside are undercutting the system’s ability to shelter people with dignity and move people from the street into permanent housing.

“Every New Yorker deserves a shelter that helps them heal, not one that deepens the trauma that brought them there,” said Dr. Jeffrey R. Ginsburg, President and CEO of VOA-GNY.“We wrote this report because we know that dignified and safe shelters are both possible and urgently needed. We’ve designed them, we’ve piloted them, and we’ve seen what they do for the people we serve. What’s standing in the way isn’t a lack of ideas or effort. It’s outdated structures and processes, and this report shows exactly how to fix them. We’re ready to work with the City to get it done.”

The report also documents what’s working and demonstrates the range of VOA-GNY’s design expertise. At a larger scale, the organization has developed intentionally designed supportive housing, including East Clarke Place Senior Residence, with accessible features and welcoming community spaces that promote mobility, independence, and connection among older adults.

Through its Property Revitalization Project, VOA-GNY also has completed low-cost, high-impact upgrades to implement trauma-informed design modifications across its portfolio, replacing harsh lighting and broken blinds in a domestic violence shelter and refreshing family recreation spaces, among other projects. Residents report measurable improvements in how safe and settled they feel.

Read More: Volunteers Of America, Greater New York