WNYC News

During major snow storms and cold snaps, homeless New Yorkers have an increased risk of sickness and death

Episode Summary

New York City is investigating the deaths of 10 people who were found outside in the cold since the start of the cold snap.

Episode Notes

New York City is investigating the deaths of 10 people who were found outside during dangerously cold temperatures and the biggest winter storm the city has seen in years. City officials said it’s too soon to tell how many of the deaths were directly caused by the cold. But Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a press conference Wednesday that officials suspected hypothermia played a role in about seven of them, and about six of the 10 people were known to the city’s Department of Homeless Services.

David Giffen, Executive Director for the Coalition for the Homeless, joined WNYC host Michael Hill to discuss what it's like to be homeless during a cold snap.