Throughout the past year, Comptroller DiNapoli traveled the state speaking to public employee unions and other organized labor groups providing updates on the economy, the retirement system and policy issues that impact working New Yorkers. The Comptroller also issued important findings through reports and audits.
Homeless Population Doubles in New York
Homelessness in New York State has grown sharply, more than doubling between January 2022 and January 2024, according to a report by Comptroller DiNapoli. Homelessness grew by 53.1% from January 2023 to January 2024, more than four times the rest of the nation. The large spike was driven by New York City and the influx of asylum seekers, but the rest of the state also had double- and triple-digit rate increases, led by Glens Falls, Saratoga and the surrounding counties.
The number of homeless children increased from 20,299 in 2022 to 50,773 in 2024. Almost one in three of New York’s homeless are children, one of the highest shares in the nation.
“New York has long had a housing affordability crisis, and more families are running out of options and ending up on the street or in shelters,” DiNapoli said. “Many of the tens of thousands of asylum seekers that came to New York had no place to stay and drove up spending and a large portion of the growth of the homeless population. But let’s be clear, this isn’t just a New York City problem, it is impacting communities all over the state. New York needs to examine how it’s using current housing resources while taking more action to address this urgent situation.”
22 School Districts Designated in Fiscal StressTwenty-two school districts were designated in some level of fiscal stress under Comptroller DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System for the school year ending June 30, 2024, up from 16 districts in fiscal stress the prior year. The low number of districts with stress designations largely reflects recent increases in state and federal aid.
Disgraced Top Officials at School for At-Risk Students Arraigned on Public Corruption Charges
Comptroller DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that two former officials at the Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District, which serves at-risk students from kindergarten to 12th grade, were arraigned on an indictment charging them with multiple public corruption offenses.
Comptroller DiNapoli, Erie County DA Keane and Erie County Sheriff Garcia Announce Former Deputy Clerk Sentenced for Stealing More Than $320,000
The former Deputy Erie County Clerk was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison and ordered to pay full restitution after pleading guilty to stealing over $320,000 in county funds, Comptroller DiNapoli, Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane, and Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announced.
Comptroller DiNapoli's Statement on the Governor's 2025 Executive Budget
“The Executive Budget proposal put forth today by Governor Hochul comes at a time of continued economic growth and improving revenues. State Operating spending is projected to grow by 7.9%, which is above the rate of inflation. I’m particularly concerned about the out-year budget gaps of $23.2 billion for the next three fiscal years, even as the Governor proposes to extend the personal income tax surcharge on high earners," DiNapoli said.
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