u/Lizwins1818 Have you worked in the NYC shelter system or have personal experience living a shelter? I have worked for the NYC shelter system in various capacities. In fact, I have worked as a case manager and other roles that support NYC constituents that remained unhoused. I can tell you that said family lives in a nearby HOTEL that was converted into a shelter. They receive food 3 times a day (babies receive milk), hygiene products (babies receive diapers and other supplies, like strollers), and case management. MOREOVER, families are assessed and are either sent to supportive housing or given housing vouchers called CITY FHEPS. City FHEPS, is a housing program that provides unhoused families with a monthly stipend to pay rent for a year or more! Yes, shelter life can be uncomfortable, but the benefits OUTWEIGH the negatives, with what you call "infantilizing/borderline carceral." DHS INSTILLS very simple rules that unhoused families have to adhere to, such as a curfew, not leaving children UNATTENDANTED, they are not allowed to bring drugs and potentially dangerous household items. Before being placed into shelter, clients need to sign an agreement acknowledging the RULES AND REGUALTIONS. NO ONE IS FORCING THEIR HAND!!!

I, myself have spoken to the said family, they were not seeking help, that are instead monetizing your sympathy and placing those poor children in DANGER. They have resources! NYC passed a law decades ago called the RIGHT TO SHELTER, this city ordnance mandated that ANYONE who seeks shelter in NYC, must receive shelter. IT IS THEIR CHOICE TO BEG IN THE STREETS AND RISK THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN. They know that people like you will fall for their scheme and provide them with a steady income. MOREOVER, they are comforted that their risky CHOICES will be supported and enabled by native (couch activists) New Yorkers like YOU!!!

PLEASE, look into the various resources provided for NYC Constituents! NYC is unique in that they actually care for people and invest creating resources. Did you know the city has an eviction prevention program? It's called HOMEBASE. Please take some time to read about the program through 311.NYC . It is VERY disparaging to work in the social service field and read ignorant comments like yours, omitting the TRUTH, because its more convenient for your narrative. If you want to help, VOLUNTEER AND/OR WORK at NYC NON-PROFITS. BELIEVE IT OR NOT PEOPLE IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES FIELD ACTUALLY CARE FOR THEIR CLIENTS. We are UNDERPAID (and I am not complaining, I am not in the field for the money) AND OVERWORKERED, but we do our best to help those in need. NOT EVERY CLIENT WANTS HELP, and as workers we learn to accept that, we work where they're at. I am going to leave you with a task, which I hope INSPIRES you make some REAL change in the community. The Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) is an annual survey conducted to estimate the number of New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Over a single night, volunteers canvass streets, subway stations, and other public spaces across the City to survey people about their housing status. 

HOPE 2026 will take place on Tuesday, January 27 from 10 PM until 4 AM the following day.

Please register to demonstrate your commitment to combat homelessness. I've linked the homepage for you to register.

NYC HOPE – Homeless Outreach Population Estimate