Count Shows Jump in Homeless Sleeping in Subways

WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

The city's annual homeless count shows a sharp jump in the number of people sleeping inside subway stations and trains.

REPORTER: Volunteers conducting the survey last January counted about 1600 people underground, a 30 percent increase from last year. The MTA's president, Lee Sander, says the agency will work with city officials and community groups to bring the number down.

SANDER: We are concerned for two reasons. One the subways are not a safe haven for the homeless. It's not a safe place to be and two it also has an impact on the environment for our commuters.

REPORTER: Despite the increase in the subways, the overall number of homeless people counted in the survey continues to drop.

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