A group of homeless youths is suing the city for allegedly failing to provide adequate shelter for thousands of troubled teens living on the streets.
The Brooklyn federal court lawsuit claims that while the city is legally obligated to provide beds for all homeless people ages 16 to 20, it turns away hundreds of applicants every night.
With 3,800 kids currently homeless in the city and only 253 shelter beds available, the waiting lists are growing, the suit states.
With nowhere else to turn, many homeless teens end up sleeping at the Chelsea Piers or at “Uncle Ace’s,” a term given to the A, C and E subway trains which have long routes.
“Homeless youth shut out of the city’s youth shelters are placed on waiting lists that number into the hundreds,” the suit states. “Sometimes the waiting lists grow so long that homeless youths must wait days just to add their names.”
The suit charges that the lack of havens exposes them to all types of danger, including violence, sex assaults, and even sex trafficking.
The suit also estimates that 10 percent to 30 percent of homeless youths are HIV-positive.
“The New York state law governing the city’s youth shelter system — The New York Runaway and Homeless Youth Act — requires the city to provide a shelter bed and services to any homeless youth who seeks it,” the suit states.
The city Law Department did not respond to a request for comment.