DAVID MUIR DONATES $12 MILLION TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS: “NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE SIDEWALK”

In an unprecedented act of generosity, ABC News anchor David Muir has donated a staggering $12 million to the Homeless Housing Initiative, marking one of the most significant personal contributions ever made by a journalist to a social cause in the U.S.

At a press conference held Monday morning in New York City, Muir stood visibly emotional as he announced the donation — a combination of his own personal funds and private sponsorships he quietly arranged behind the scenes. The funds will go toward building 150 new housing units, with capacity for 300 beds, providing long-term shelter and support for individuals and families struggling with homelessness across multiple cities.

“I saw the effects of homelessness firsthand as a child,” Muir told reporters. “I grew up seeing people sleeping in cars, in alleyways, on church steps. I knew that if I ever had the platform and the means, I would make a meaningful contribution. No one — no child, no veteran, no mother — should have to sleep on the sidewalk.”

A PERSONAL MISSION

While David Muir is best known for anchoring World News Tonight, his interest in humanitarian issues runs deep. Friends close to the journalist say that his passion for helping the homeless isn’t a new development — it’s something he’s worked on quietly for years.

“He never wanted the attention,” said Maribel Vargas, director of the Homeless Housing Initiative. “For over a decade, David has been one of our silent supporters. But this donation? It changes everything. It gives hundreds of people a fighting chance.”

According to Vargas, the funds will be used to construct new transitional housing in three major cities: New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit — cities where the homelessness crisis has reached what some advocates are calling a state of emergency. The new units will also include on-site support services, including mental health counseling, job placement assistance, and childcare.

FROM NEWSROOM TO FRONTLINE ADVOCATE

While the media industry has sometimes been criticized for covering homelessness without action, Muir’s gesture flips that narrative on its head. He stressed that this is not about public relations — it’s about responsibility.

“I cover crises every night. Wars, natural disasters, people losing everything. But the truth is, there’s a crisis happening right outside our studio doors,” Muir said. “Homelessness is not someone else’s problem. It’s America’s problem. And we can fix it if we stop looking away.”

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, over 653,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024 — the highest number recorded since the federal government began collecting such data in 2007. Advocates have pointed to a dire need for permanent housing solutions, not just temporary shelters.

Muir’s donation, while extraordinary, comes with a broader appeal. He called on both public officials and private citizens to “look in the mirror and ask what we’re willing to do to help.”

CELEBRITIES, POLITICIANS REACT

Within hours of the announcement, praise flooded in from across the country. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, LeBron James, and even fellow journalists like Anderson Cooper and Norah O’Donnell expressed admiration for Muir’s courage and generosity.

New York City Mayor Yusef Rodriguez called the donation “a blessing in action,” and confirmed the city would match the donation with public funds to expand the housing effort even further.

“David Muir didn’t just speak truth to power — he brought power to truth,” Rodriguez said. “He’s setting a new standard for civic leadership.”

Even the White House weighed in. In a statement released late Monday, President Joe Biden praised Muir for his “moral clarity” and said his actions should inspire a “national movement” to end homelessness in our lifetime.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Despite the scale of the donation, Muir was quick to remind everyone that the battle is far from over.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I hope others will step forward, because this isn’t about charity — it’s about justice.”

As the press conference wrapped up, Muir walked away without taking further questions. But behind him, a large rendering of the new housing units stood as a symbol of what’s possible when compassion meets action.

For the hundreds of people who will soon have a roof over their heads, David Muir is no longer just a journalist — he’s a lifeline.