This paper reports that, in 2004, New York City set a record when the number of
homeless New Yorkers residing in shelters
reached the highest point in the city's history. The author points out that 90
percent of
homeless New Yorkers are black or Latino, even though only 53 percent of New York City's total population is black or Latino; moreover, over 60 percent of homeless families previously lived in four of New York City's poorest neighborhoods, and over half of the homeless mothers have a history of domestic violence. This paper concludes that it will take years of dedication and focus for New York City to ease the problem of homelessness by creating not only adequate permanent housing for the homeless, which actually will cost less than the present shelter and other emergency care programs, but also available services for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.