In the grip of the coldest winter in two years, New York City’s homeless population is increasingly seeking refuge in subway trains. With temperatures dropping to dangerous lows, the underground system has become a lifeline for those with nowhere else to go.
At Penn Station, Rose Williams, 57, sat on a bench clutching a thin blanket as outreach workers approached her with offers of shelter. “It’s too cold to be out here,” she admitted to The City, but quickly declined their help. Her choice to remain on the train was deliberate. “The shelters aren’t safe. I’ve had my things stolen before, and I can’t go through that again.”
The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) activated its “Code Blue” emergency protocol earlier this week, aimed at protecting the city’s most vulnerable during extreme weather. The plan includes round-the-clock outreach efforts to direct unsheltered individuals to drop-in centers and shelters. Yet, many homeless New Yorkers remain reluctant to accept those services, citing overcrowding, safety concerns, and a loss of personal autonomy.
A 2021 survey by the Coalition for the Homeless found that 75% of unsheltered respondents believed entering the shelter system meant compromising their safety and dignity. “The system doesn’t work for everyone,” said Dave Giffen, the organization’s executive director. “When it’s 12 degrees outside, people will naturally turn to public spaces like the subway. It’s warm, it’s indoors, and it’s accessible.”
At Jamaica Center in Queens, a man identifying himself as God Lyac stayed aboard an E train long after its final stop announcement. “I feel safer here,” he explained to the outlet, sipping a soda as he sat near the car’s heater. For Lyac, the subway offers a degree of stability that shelters simply cannot provide.
Despite promises of increased police patrols in the transit system, Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative to station officers on every train between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. has yet to materialize fully. During visits to multiple stations this week, officers were seen on platforms but not inside trains. Outreach workers, meanwhile, reported mixed results. “Some people refuse to leave, but others accept help,” said a cleaner at Jamaica Center, noting that workers often distribute clean clothes and other essentials.
Volunteers like Greg Ulto are stepping in to address the gaps. On a recent night, Ulto and his team distributed pre-packaged meals to individuals huddled in train cars. “It’s not about solving everything in one night,” he said. “It’s about showing compassion and meeting immediate needs.”
The city’s annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate counted over 2,000 individuals sleeping in the subway system on a single January night last year. This year’s count is scheduled for next week, but advocates predict the number could rise during extreme weather.
For those seeking warmth and safety, the subway remains a last resort. “If you’ve lost your home and have nowhere to go, where else would you turn?” Giffen asked.
