New York, NY—Today, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to close additional shelters early next year, including the Floyd Bennett Field Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC), which houses single and family asylum seekers in congregate settings.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“New York’s future success depends on investing in all who call this city home, whether they arrived 30 days ago or 30 years ago. Housing families in congregate settings, such as tents in remote locations far from public transportation, grocery stores, schools, and job opportunities, has been a flawed and short-sighted approach from the very beginning. While we welcome the news that the Floyd Bennett Field HERRC will close, it is not enough. We urge the Adams administration to take further steps by focusing on humane and long term solutions that truly support our newest neighbors. The city must prioritize creating pathways to permanent housing that provide stability and dignity, ensuring immigrant New Yorkers can build their lives here and contribute to our communities. This means expanding access to CityFHEPS vouchers to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, investing in legal services to help people secure work authorizations and legal status, and ending harmful 30 and 60 day shelter limits that create uncertainty and fear. These investments are essential to ensuring success for all New Yorkers, rather than perpetuating a cycle of instability and hardship.”