A report issued by Comptroller Brad Lander criticized Democrat Mayor Eric Adams’ administration for implementing a policy that limited the length of time migrants could stay in New York City shelters to 60 days. The policy was rushed, lacked clear objectives, and written protocols. The city was inundated with new arrivals seeking shelter, which prompted the policy change. The report found that the policy was haphazardly implemented, lacked written objectives, and provided minimal case management services to families.
The policy required families with children to be given 60 days notice before being evicted from the shelter, with a promise of assistance in finding alternative housing and support services. However, the report revealed that the rule hindered migrants’ ability to obtain work authorization and unemployment benefits, and the city failed to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Comptroller Lander recommended ending the rule and implementing more humane and long-term strategies, providing additional information to migrants, and tracking program effectiveness through competitive bidding for providers.
The Adams Administration defended its record amid the high numbers of migrants seeking shelter in the city. They stated that they have written policies to guide the implementation of the rule, including provisions for pregnant women, training, and exit planning. Despite the challenges posed by the influx of migrants, the city claims to have enrolled over 18,000 children in temporary housing in schools and administered over 65,000 immunizations. Adams’ office stressed the need for federal assistance in addressing the national humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of migrants.
Mayor Adams has urged for a national solution to the migrant crisis and called on New Yorkers to press the federal government for financial support and a national resettlement strategy. Adams has personally criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for busing migrants to New York City and extended an invitation to Abbott to stay in a shelter to see the conditions firsthand. The city continues to grapple with the challenge of accommodating a large number of migrants and balancing humanitarian concerns with resource limitations.
The comptroller’s report highlighted significant management flaws in the city’s implementation of the shelter eviction policy, including poor tracking of outcomes and disruptions to families’ efforts to establish legal status and work authorization. Lander emphasized the need for improved administration, more effective policies, and a focus on long-term solutions for migrants seeking shelter. The city’s response indicated a willingness to consider suggestions for improvement while emphasizing the urgent need for federal support in addressing the ongoing migrant crisis. Adams’ administration continues to face criticism over its handling of the shelter policy and calls for a more coordinated and compassionate response to the needs of migrants in the city.
