When “Legal” Eviction Becomes Violence: Thousands Stripped of Their Homes in NYC

Eviction is often described as a civil, legal process in New York City: a landlord goes to housing court, a judge signs a warrant, and a city marshal executes the eviction. It’s supposed to be orderly, fair, and lawful. But the reality for thousands of New Yorkers — including me — is far harsher. Legal eviction can be sudden, brutal, and stripping of rights, leaving people homeless overnight. My name is Lyon Brave, and I’ve lived through this reality. Today, I want to tell my story, explain what the data actually shows, and call for urgent reform — and I need your help to survive this winter.

If you want to support me right now, you can donate here: Support Lyon Brave

Eviction Numbers Are Rising — And Legal Doesn’t Mean Safe

Recent data shows eviction in NYC is increasing dramatically:

• In 2025, city marshals executed over 11,200 residential evictions between January and mid-August, averaging 1,500 evictions per month (Gothamist).

• Between August 2024 and August 2025, the NYC Council reported 18,620 enforced evictions (NYC Council).

• Legal Aid NYC noted that 11,973 evictions were carried out in 2023, more than double the previous year (Legal Aid NYC).

While the process is “legal,” the speed and lack of protection often make these evictions devastating. Tenants are removed almost instantly, sometimes without a lawyer, without notice, and with their belongings at risk. Legal doesn’t mean safe. Legal doesn’t mean fair. And in my experience, it can be life-changing in the worst way.

You can help me rebuild stability right now: Donate to Lyon Brave

My Story: When the System Fails

I was working as a home health aide in New York City. I was helping people survive, working long hours for low pay. But I was living paycheck to paycheck. Then the abuse started: an older man I trusted began stealing my money and manipulating me daily. I called the police — Precinct 49 in the Bronx — but instead of protecting me, they dismissed my claims. They refused to follow proper legal procedure and referred no case to housing court. Within hours, I became homeless.

Overnight, I lost my apartment, my belongings, and my sense of safety. That’s how legal eviction looks on the ground for many: sudden, dehumanizing, and leaving people to navigate a broken system.

To survive this winter, I started a GoFundMe. Every donation helps me stay warm and safe. If you can, please support me here: Support Lyon Brave

NYC Shelter System: Right to Shelter, but at What Cost?

New York City is unique in the U.S. because it offers a legal right to shelter. But shelters are not always safe or functional. In 2025:

• Over 91,460 people are currently in the city’s shelter system (NYC Comptroller).

• Shelters are often overcrowded, with undertrained or intoxicated staff (Coalition for the Homeless).

• Residents’ belongings are frequently stolen or damaged, and conflicts arise due to poor oversight.

Even with a bed guaranteed, the experience can be unsafe. The legal system may give you a bed, but it doesn’t give you dignity, safety, or control.

I’m sharing my story so others understand that legal protections are only as good as their enforcement. You can help me survive and shine a light on this system by donating here: Donate Now

Housing Costs Make This Crisis Worse

Affordable housing is nearly impossible for low-income New Yorkers. Average rents by borough in 2025:

• Bronx: $3,132

• Brooklyn: $3,835

• Manhattan: $4,550

• Queens: $3,450

• Staten Island: $2,980

For home health aides, teachers, and other essential workers, this means surviving homelessness is a daily reality. Many cannot afford rent, deposits, utilities, and food, and the system offers no real safety net.

Support me as I try to weather this harsh city winter: Donate to Lyon Brave

Police, Evictions, and Systemic Neglect

The NYPD does not usually execute evictions — marshals do. But police involvement often makes eviction more traumatic. In my case:

• Police dismissed my reports of theft and abuse.

• Instead of helping me access legal protections, they left me vulnerable to sudden eviction.

• This neglect contributed directly to assault, theft of property, and sexual assault.

Legal eviction becomes de facto displacement when combined with a system that ignores the safety of tenants, particularly women and people of color.

You can take action by helping me survive this moment: Support Lyon Brave

Public Transportation and the Wider American Crisis

New York City’s transit system allows many Americans to survive even under harsh economic conditions. Buses and trains are lifelines. Elsewhere, homelessness is compounded by lack of transportation:

• Workers can lose jobs without access to transit.

• Shelters may be miles from employment opportunities.

• Eviction + unemployment + lack of transit = deepening crisis.

We need housing reform AND infrastructure reform to address homelessness at a systemic level.

Help me survive and highlight this crisis: Donate Here

Why Legal Eviction Can Be Invisible Violence

Legal doesn’t mean fair. Thousands of people in NYC are evicted every year through court orders, not police raids. But when:

• Tenants lack lawyers

• Marshals act quickly

• Shelters are unsafe

…people are displaced, traumatized, and often forced onto the streets immediately. That’s what happened in my case — a legal process stripped me of housing in a moment.

You can help me reclaim safety and dignity: Donate

A Call to Action: Housing Reform Now

We need:

1. Fully Funded Right-to-Counsel: Ensure every tenant has a lawyer in housing court.

2. Limit Marshal Evictions: Introduce “good cause” protections to prevent instant displacement.

3. Accountability: Ensure marshals and landlords follow proper notice and procedure.

4. Safe Shelters: Invest in staffing, training, and oversight.

5. Systemic Policy Change: Recognize eviction as a public health crisis and a human rights issue.

Every action counts. Even a small donation helps me survive while we fight for broader reform: Support Lyon Brave

Conclusion: Legal Eviction ≠ Justice

Eviction is legal. But legality does not equal justice. Thousands of New Yorkers are stripped of their homes in moments, forced into shelters, and left vulnerable to theft, assault, and instability. My story is just one of tens of thousands.

This is not just a housing problem. It is a civil rights crisis. It is a systemic failure. And it is a call to action for New York City and America.

Stand with me. Support survival. Support reform. And make sure that people like me do not disappear from our city overnight.

Donate now and help me survive this winter: Support Lyon Brave
Help amplify this movement for housing justice: GoFundMe
Your action matters: Donate here