New York, NY —

The city's largest shelter provider for homeless youth is trying to figure out what's causing a spike in the number of youth seeking a bed for the night. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: Covenant House says summertime is usually when shelter numbers fall. That's because warm weather allows for people to sleep outdoors. And for those staying with friends, being outside more also makes it easier to deal with an overcrowded apartment. But this year is different. The organization says in May and June shelter numbers rose 20 percent compared to last year.

Daniel Browne came to Covenant House a month ago. He says he left his mother's home after his three siblings were unable to pay their rent and moved back in.

BROWNE: It was crazy. It was like constant fighting. Literally like hand fighting. So like I couldn't stay there so I left and went to live with my girl and that just messed because I don't know we just weren't connecting.

REPORTER: Covenant House speculates the slowing economy is putting more pressure on poor families and causing parents to grow frustrated with young people who may not be working or going to school. In addition to the summer increase, the organization says from January to June the number of young people seeking shelter rose 15 percent compared to the same period last year. For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.