Jade Shenker, a real estate agent featured on the Netflix series “Owning Manhattan,” has drawn widespread criticism for remarks she made about New York City’s homeless population. In a recent curbside interview with the virtual hub “Girls Who Sublet,” Shenker, 30, stated, “I feel like the homeless people on the street are pretty comfortable.”
The comments were made in response to a question about the high cost of living in Manhattan and the minimum income required to afford housing. Median monthly rents in Manhattan have recently surpassed $5,125.
Screengrabs of the interview quickly gained traction on TikTok, accumulating over 16 million views and eliciting strong negative reactions. Commenters widely labeled Shenker as “out of touch,” “gross,” “tone deaf,” and “insufferable.” One viewer described the situation as “so dystopian” and expressed fear.
According to data from the Coalition for the Homeless NYC, an estimated 350,000 New Yorkers, including 30,955 children, were without shelter in May 2026. This statistic emerged just weeks after the closure of the Mainchance homeless drop-in center in Midtown East.
Shenker had previously shared details about her demanding work schedule, stating she works 85 to 90 hours per week. She also revealed that she does not pay rent, with her boyfriend covering their approximately $8,000 monthly rent for their Financial District apartment. Shenker, who works for the brokerage Serhant, reported earning between $70,000 and $1 million annually from selling properties.
These statements also generated further criticism online, with some users calling her revelations “insane” and expressing disappointment in her attitude. Another individual identifying as a New York City real estate agent stated, “I promise we are not all like this. Some of us are actually good people who care.”
Representatives for Shenker did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
