Letitia James faces scrutiny after New York City spends $81,700 per homeless person amid shelter scandals
The criticism follows probes that uncovered alleged kickbacks, nepotism and executive salaries nearing $1M at shelters
By Elaine Mallon Fox News
Published July 25, 2026 9:59am EDT
Republican AG hopeful says James ignored warning signs in homeless shelter system
New York Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy is accusing Letitia James of failing to hold New York's nonprofit homeless shelter providers accountable despite years of audits, investigations and scandals involving billions of taxpayer dollars.
The criticism comes as a New York State Comptroller report in March found New York City spent roughly $81,700 per unsheltered homeless person in fiscal year 2025, with spending on street homelessness more than tripling since 2019 as the city's homeless population climbed 78%.
Komatireddy described the situation as a crisis, arguing that government spending has surged while outcomes have deteriorated.
"So there really are questions about what has happened to that money and why that's happening," Komatireddy told Fox News Digital. "The person who should be asking those questions, the person who should be investigating, is the attorney general. But Letitia James has totally failed New Yorkers when it comes to holding homeless shelter nonprofits accountable so that they actually help the homeless."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/letitia-james-scrutiny-new-york-city-spends-81700-homeless-person-amid-shelter-scandals
