In a significant step forward in New York Cityโs efforts to manage its asylum seeker crisis, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday, December 10th, that 25 shelters, including the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Floyd Bennett Field, will close over the next two months. This announcement comes after 22 consecutive weeks of declining asylum seeker numbers in the cityโs shelters, bringing the census to its lowest point in more than 17 months.
Mayor Adams highlighted that the cityโs proactive approach to managing asylum seekers has played a crucial role in reducing shelter numbers. The approach, which involves focused case management, reticketing, and the implementation of 30 and 60-day notice policies, has assisted migrants in moving out of the cityโs shelter system and advancing toward greater self-sufficiency.
โThanks to our smart management strategies, weโve turned the corner, and this additional slate of shelter closures weโre announcing today is even more proof that weโre managing this crisis better than any other city in the nation,โ said Mayor Adams. โOur intensive case management, paired with 30 and 60-day policies, have helped more than 170,000 migrants take their next steps on their journeys, because migrants donโt come here to live in our shelter system โ they come here to pursue the American Dream.โ
The closure of shelters in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan are part of a broader effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency. These closures are expected to result in a projected savings of $2.3 billion over the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
Molly Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Mayorโs Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, emphasized the importance of Floyd Bennett Field during the height of the crisis. โAt the height of this humanitarian response, the Floyd Bennett Field activation served as a relief valve to provide critical shelter and resources to hundreds of families at their greatest time of need,โ Schaeffer said. โTodayโs announcement is a direct reflection of the tireless commitment of our teams and the tremendous work they do every day to ensure that people are ready to move on to the next steps in their journeys to self-sufficiency.โ
The Asylum Application Help Center has played a key role in assisting nearly 87,000 migrants with applying for work authorization, temporary protected status, and asylum. Furthermore, more than 70% of eligible adults in the cityโs care have either received or submitted applications for work authorization, supporting their path to greater self-sufficiency.
With these closures, the Adams administration is continuing to streamline shelter operations, reduce long-term costs, and ensure that New York City leads the nation in managing the asylum seeker crisis.