The Effect of Homeless Shelters on Crime During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Crime Generators, Crime Attractors, and Place

Abstract

In this study, I evaluate the effect of both typical homeless shelters and emergency homeless shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic on crime in New York City community districts. Knowing the effect of these shelters can give insight as to what kind of security is needed around new homeless shelters and any potential emergency shelters in the future. Using data on the number of typical homeless shelters and emergency shelters in New York City community districts along with crime and census data, I use Poisson regression models to assess the overall effect of shelters on crime as well as the effect of both types of shelters on crime. Preliminary results suggest that both types of shelters, together and separately, result in an increase in property crime in community districts. Violent crime, however, appears to be unaffected by these shelters. Thus, shelters may need more security around them to control property crime, but more security does not appear to be needed to reduce violent crime.

Author

• Brianna Camero, George Mason University