12 Dec 2020 Homeless advocates reported this week that the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the New York City shelter population to record numbers, according to CBS New York. The advocates described the numbers as “astronomical,” saying that for the first time, the number of single adults sleeping in Department of Homeless Services shelters has grown to more than 20,000. “That includes an all-time record of 15,369 single men — and a near record of 4,841 single women — in October, the latest statistics available,” the article read. The numbers are according to Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing, which is a coalition of advocacy groups. “This dire homelessness crisis among single adults has been exacerbated by COVID-19, which has already forced more individuals into homelessness and will likely worsen in the coming months,” explained Giselle Routhier, policy director of the Coalition for the Homeless.