Summary
On June 8, 2025, VOCAL-NY and TakeRoot Justice released a new report, WI-FI for All: The Need for Wi-Fi Access in NYC’s Shelter System. The report demonstrates how especially critical reliable Wi-Fi access is for residents of single adult shelters.
VOCAL-NY partnered with TakeRoot Justice on a participatory action research project to document the lack of free, reliable Wi-Fi in single adult shelters and the impact that this has on the lives of homeless New Yorkers who live in those shelters. Although there has been successful advocacy in New York City to bring free Wi-Fi to family shelters (where children reside), Wi-Fi for residents in single adult shelters remains largely non-existent.
Access to the internet is a fundamental necessity for every New Yorker, including homeless New Yorkers who need it to search for and apply for permanent housing and employment, pursue education, coordinate with medical providers, access news, connect with family, and much more.
The report is based on 215 surveys administered to New Yorkers who were currently living in a single adult shelter or who had done so within the past 12 months, as well as interviews with people who have been impacted by the lack of stable, reliable Wi-Fi in single adult shelters.
Key findings from the research include:
- Computer rooms in shelters are rare, and the large majority of those whose shelter has a computer room experienced barriers to using the computers.
- Only a quarter of respondents reported that their shelter made Wi-Fi available to residents, and the large majority of those who did have Wi-Fi experienced barriers to accessing it.
- A large majority of shelter residents surveyed reported going outside the shelter to access the internet
- Three-quarters of respondents reported at least one significant consequence resulting from lack of Wi-Fi access, including missed opportunities to pursue permanent housing and damaging impacts to employment, finances and benefits.
VOCAL-NY developed grassroots policy recommendations to address the research findings. Key recommendations include:
- Passing, swiftly implementing, and diligently enforcing New York State Bill 1755/S.8026, which would require the provision of WI-FI service internet access to all individuals living in temporary housing in New York State.
- Passing additional legislation to protect homeless New Yorkers and end homelessness in New York State, like S72/A1704, which establishes a state-funded rental assistance program for New Yorkers who are currently homeless or are at risk of homelessness. When implemented with sustainable funding, it would ensure those with extremely low incomes, undocumented New Yorkers, and people with certain felony convictions have access to this statewide rental assistance program.
- Expanding and improving supportive housing, a critical intervention for tackling the intersecting issues of homelessness, substance use, and unmet mental health needs.
It is unconscionable that in 2025 New Yorkers living in single adult shelters are being deprived of access to the internet, a tool central to daily life.
VOCAL-NY calls on the New York State legislature to immediately pass New York State bill A.1755/S.8026 as well as the other legislation listed in the report, as the fight continues to end homelessness and win permanent, affordable housing in New York State.
Read the full report here.