Understanding New York City's Diverse Communities
As part of NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development's Where We Live Fair Housing initiative, the Center for Research on Housing Opportunity, Mobility, and Equity (HOME) has developed a series of comprehensive demographic reports using data from the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS). These reports examine the housing conditions, challenges, and opportunities facing key populations across our city, providing critical insights to inform fair housing policy and ensure that our work toward equity is grounded in data and the experiences of New Yorkers themselves.
Each report presents a detailed portrait of these communities—who they are, where they live, and the housing barriers they face. By examining how living conditions vary by age, disability status, nativity, and family composition, these analyses help us understand how housing serves as both a source of disparities and a pathway to greater opportunity for all New Yorkers.
One in three New Yorkers was born outside the United States, totaling about 3 million first-generation immigrants. An additional one in four New Yorkers are second-generation immigrants. This report examines the composition and residential characteristics of immigrant communities, exploring how nativity intersects with race, ethnicity, and housing access.
With 1.55 million residents aged 62 or older—nearly one in five New Yorkers—our older adult population continues to grow and become more diverse. This report provides a comprehensive view of aging in New York City, examining living arrangements, financial resources, disability prevalence, and housing accessibility challenges.
There are 1.47 million children under 18 living in New York City, representing about 18 percent of our population. This report examines the youngest New Yorkers and their families, exploring their household composition, housing conditions, and the challenges they face. Key findings reveal that nearly a third of children live in crowded conditions, with higher rates among lower-income families.
There are 838,000 people with disabilities in New York City, comprising about 10.7 percent of our population. This report explores the demographic, economic, and residential characteristics of New Yorkers with disabilities, highlighting both physical and structural barriers that limit access to safe and affordable housing.
Nearly half of adults in New York City, 3 million people, live with a spouse or partner, while another 3.56 million do not. This report explores the connections between partnership status and the demographic, economic, and housing characteristics of New Yorkers and their families. In addition, the report highlights challenges facing same-sex couples, couples with children, and divorced and separated New Yorkers.