Officials from the Adams administration have announced the successful implementation of a new 60-day limit on shelter stays for adult migrants in emergency facilities.
The policy, rolled out last month, was intended to free up shelter space for families with children amid a surge of asylum-seeking migrants.
According to City Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President Dr. Ted Long, 65% of migrants who have received 60-day notices have expressed a desire to formulate an “exit plan.”
Dr. Long elaborated, saying, “When we have our case managers having direct conversations with people we ask, ‘Are you ready to make an exit plan?’ That will be something that will be executed within that 60-day period of time.”
According to Dr. Long, a portion of those who indicated a willingness to leave did so quickly, with around 50 migrants exiting the system within a day due to the city’s prompt provision of requested support.
However, many others required assistance, such as city-issued identification cards (IDNYC), English language lessons, or help reconnecting with family.
Dr. Long acknowledged, “Others that constitute the rest of the 65% need something that we haven’t been able to meet yet.”
The policy, paired with intensified case management, aims at finding alternative housing for migrants before the 60-day limit ends. Those who fail to find accommodation must leave and may reapply for a place at the Roosevelt Hotel, which serves as the city’s asylum seeker welcome center.
The city has distributed over 1,400 60-day notices to migrants, while some officials have shown concern that the policy might result in newcomers being left without shelter.
Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol addressed these concerns, stating, “If we started to see a marked increase in people ending up in the streets because of the 60-day policy … we would adjust.”
Deputy Council Speaker Diana Ayala also expressed her worries, citing the recent incident of nearly 200 asylum seekers ending up on the streets.
