Homeless Need Internet Access to Find a Home: The City Bar Justice Center Documents Lack of Technology in NYC Homeless Shelters

The lack of access to technology – specifically Internet access – in homeless shelters severely hampers shelter residents in finding permanent housing, a report by the City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) finds. Further, the report highlights how lack of access to the Internet and technology creates significant academic barriers for homeless students – an issue that is suddenly front and center as schools moved to remote learning during the COVID-19 crisis.

In 2019, the CBJC’s Legal Clinic for the Homeless conducted a survey of current and former New York City homeless family-shelter residents to obtain information about their access to and use of Internet-ready devices and Wi-Fi. The results of the survey are detailed in the report “Homeless Need Internet Access to Find a Home: How Access to Internet and Technology Resources Can Support Homeless Families Transition out of Homeless Shelters.” The publication includes data on Internet and technology access in NYC homeless shelters, firsthand accounts from current and former family-shelter residents, examples of what other cities are doing, and recommendations for remedying the problem as soon as possible.

Click here to access the full report.

Cheryl Lopez is the Communications & Development Manager for the City Bar Justice Center.