New York City Tosses ‘Right To Shelter,’ Migrants Must Now Leave Housing After 30 Days
For more than four decades, the state of New York has abided by its obligation to honor the long-standing "right to shelter" policy. However, a recent influx of migrants has caused a strain on the state, according to the Mayor Eric Adams.
The Coalition for the Homeless says the policy is "a legal right providing that anyone in New York City without a place to live is guaranteed safe, decent, and appropriate shelter so they don't have to end up on the streets."
Mayor Adams announced Friday that some immigrants currently residing within the city of New York may be denied emergency housing after 30 days. Individuals under the age of 23 will receive 60 days of shelter.
The "Right to Shelter" originally stems from a 1979 class-action lawsuit in the NY State Supreme Court, arguing that "the aid, care, and support of the needy are public concerns and shall be provided by the state."
According to Mayor Adams, 63, over 183,000 immigrants have been in the city's care at some point since 2022.
Last year, the mayor requested a suspension of the housing requirement citing a lack of resources, saying officials are no longer able to shelter every homeless person due to the massive increase of migrants.
"It is in the best interest of everyone, including those seeking to come to the United States, to be upfront that New York City cannot single-handedly provide care to everyone crossing our border," Adams said in a statement. "Being dishonest about this will only result in our system collapsing, and we need our government partners to know the truth and do their share."
The announcement comes after shelters across the city began removing migrant families out of shelters after 60 days, mandating them to reapply in order to secure another spot.
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The Legal Aid Society and another humanitarian organization have settled on an adjustment to the blanket "right to shelter" policy, claiming after 30 days they will operate on a case-by-case basis whether a migrant will be able to stay for additional days.
Time may be granted following proof of "significant efforts to resettle," which will require a meeting with an immigration lawyer, applying for resettlement programs, or valid proof that they are searching for housing.
This settlement is valid for adults seeking shelter, not families.
Attorney Adrian Holder of the Legal Aid Society alleges the new settlement will ensure that both long-time New Yorkers and new arrivals have access to shelter in addition to case management to aid the transition from a shelter to housing in the community.
In a statement, Holder claimed the organization won't hesitate to sue if the city doesn't comply.
