Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email kyi@wnyc.org or Signal 917-589-1460.
Karen Yi appears in the following:
When you gotta go: NYC Council vows to make it easier to find a public bathroom
Friday, April 18, 2025
Places to go when you've got to go will double in New York City over the next decade, under a bill passed by the City Council Thursday.NYC has among the fewest commodes per capita amo...
7K NYC families could lose child care subsidies each month under state budget plan
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Tens of thousands of New York City families would lose their child care vouchers under the state’s proposed budget — a move that advocates say would leave parents unable to work and f...
NYC offers developers a deal: Build affordable units, we'll help cover tenants' rent
Wednesday, April 09, 2025
New York City officials are trying out a novel way to move longtime residents of homeless shelters into new permanent housing — by guaranteeing most of their rent.
Will Republicans in Washington Make New Yorkers Hungrier?
Thursday, April 03, 2025
Experts anticipate cuts to federal food assistance programs by the Republican-led Congress. Karen Yi, WNYC and Gothamist reporter, explains how potential cuts will affect New Yorkers.
Federal cuts to SNAP benefits would crush 1.8M NYers who rely on them, city officials say
Tuesday, April 01, 2025
New York City officials and anti-hunger groups are bracing for deep cuts by Republicans in Congress to the federal food stamp program that feeds more residents than ever before: 1.8 m...
Breaking up with NYC: Families leave in droves over childcare cost, affordability
Wednesday, August 07, 2024
Families with young children are increasingly grappling with whether to leave the five boroughs in search of more affordable child care and housing.The exodus of families from the Big...
This summer camp offers refuge for NYC's record-high youth homeless population
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
As the population of children living in New York City shelters reaches unprecedented highs, with enough homeless kids to fill Yankee Stadium, a longtime summer camp is offering these ...
They’re about to be evicted from low-cost apartments. Attorneys say NYC can stop it.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
The Adams administration is locked in an ongoing legal battle with the Legal Aid Society over a decision to block a law that would help more low-income New Yorkers afford housing.
Did you know there's low-cost extended day care in NYC? What you need to know to apply.
Monday, July 08, 2024
The city offers longer days and year-round care for families who meet certain income thresholds but many of the programs are under-enrolled.
ER visits plummet at housing program for vulnerable New Yorkers after nurses are hire
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Urban Pathways launched a health program at its supportive housing sites to help its clients learn about preventive care and wellness.
NYC day cares struggle to retain staff, paid less than DOE-employed child care workers
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Center-based child care teachers can earn $14,000 less than early childhood educators hired by the city.
New housing designed to support young moms in foster care opens in the Bronx
Wednesday, June 05, 2024
The New York Foundling debuted two buildings in the Bronx designed to support young mothers in foster care in one place.
Kids in NYC shelters get to celebrate with the 'Birthday Party Project'
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
The Birthday Party Project threw its first in-person party in New York since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Hochul's homeless outreach program has housed 450 New Yorkers in 2 years
Friday, May 17, 2024
The Safe Options Support program deploys teams of clinicians and social workers to reach chronically homeless individuals.
A year after Jordan Neely's death, a push to make attacking NY's homeless a hate crime
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The Homeless Protection Act has foundered in the state Legislature for more than a decade, but advocates are hoping to push the bill amid a new focus on homelessness.
Why child care is so expensive in NYC that it's become a crisis
Monday, April 15, 2024
Families shouldn’t pay more than 7% of their household income on child care, according to federal standards.
Mayor Adams’ homeless encampment sweeps reached new high last fall
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Data shows the number of homeless encampment “clean-ups” rose to an average of 500 a month late last summer into fall, with one location hit 199 times.
Here's how NYC families can get free, quality childcare through a federal Head Start program
Thursday, March 21, 2024
The federally funded program provides care for up to 34,000 children in New York state.
Want to snag an appointment for NYC’s coveted ID card? Join the Friday PM rush.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The city plans said they’re issuing more IDs this year even as nonprofits struggle to get people signed up.
NYC Mayor Adams reaches settlement in fight to roll back right to shelter
Friday, March 15, 2024
Homeless advocates and their lawyers met with the city officials in state Supreme Court on Friday.
