Troy

Troy sits along the Hudson River in Rensselaer County, a former industrial powerhouse now known for its restored brownstones, RPI students, and a slow but real economic comeback that hasn't reached everyone equally. The average household income here runs around $70,000, but that number hides a lot of hardship in a city where rents have climbed fast. Rensselaer County's most recent point-in-time count identified 209 people experiencing homelessness in January 2023, and outreach workers will tell you the real number on any given night is likely higher. Unity House of Troy has long been a backbone for emergency shelter, housing assistance, and crisis services in this city, and Joseph's House & Shelter offers a bed and a warm meal to people with nowhere else to go. Trinity Alliance also works with low-income families and individuals here, connecting people to food, services, and a bit of stability. Winters on the river are hard and the city can feel unforgiving, but there are people in Troy who have built their lives around helping you get through the night. You are not invisible here, and you don't have to figure this out alone.