Few families in homeless shelters can access internet

Only 6% of people who live or had lived in a New York City homeless shelter for families said they could access the internet through their shelter, according to a new report from  the City Bar Justice Center. 

Nearly 70% of the 84 people surveyed by the nonprofit last summer said they wanted to have regular access to the internet but didn’t. More often, they paid for their own cellular data plans or used free Wi-Fi at libraries, restaurants and other locations. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the challenges that limited internet access has for the city’s homeless population. There are more than 114,000 homeless children in the city, who have faced additional challenges getting the internet-connected devices and Wi-Fi needed to continue schooling remotely. And homeless adults need the internet to more easily secure permanent housing, public assistance and job opportunities – which has become even more important given the current economic crisis.

The report called on the city to offer shelter residents access to reliable Wi-Fi as well computers, tablets and printers: “Efforts must be made to reduce the time spent in shelters and the costs associated with longer periods of homelessness.”