NYC homeless proof design, good job!

Overview

The speaker argues that New York City’s response to homelessness is misguided and punitive rather than focused on solving underlying causes.

Example: Marcy Avenue / Parks Area (Brooklyn)

Using an example from their former neighborhood near Marcy Avenue and nearby parks in Brooklyn, the speaker describes subway-related metal grates that vent “hot air” from underground during the winter. They claim homeless people use these grates to stay warm rather than freeze.

The Speaker’s Main Criticism

The speaker argues that instead of addressing root causes—such as:

• Mental illness
• The high cost of housing, including studio apartments reportedly costing around $2,200+

—NYC has “tackled” homelessness by making shelters less workable.

Specifically, they claim the city:

• Covers the grates so sleeping there becomes painful and physically uncomfortable
• Makes the surfaces harder to lie on through modifications, such as:
  • Added coverings that increase discomfort
  • Uneven grate heights that the speaker says would allegedly cause physical pain

Prior Claim About Charity Funding

The speaker also references a prior claim that the city pays $3,500–$4,500 per month to a charity started by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, portraying this as money spent without meaningful solutions.

Conclusion (Sarcastic Critique)

The commentary ends with sarcasm, “praising” NYC for supposedly “fixing” homelessness by making it harder for homeless people to shelter—suggesting that discomfort is the city’s strategy.