As of June 24, 2023, New York City has restructured its approach to sheltering migrants by directing those in need, including new arrivals, to the Department of Homeless Services’ traditional intake centers. This change follows the recent closure of the Asylum Seeker Arrival Center at the Roosevelt Hotel, marking a significant shift after more than two years of a dual shelter system for migrants.
City Hall officials announced that the traditional intake centers will now serve as the primary access point for migrants seeking shelter.
For families with children under 21 years, single pregnant individuals, and families with a pregnant member, the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH) office in the Bronx will be the designated starting point in their search for accommodations.
Single men over 18 must register at the 30th Street Intake Center in Manhattan, while single women are directed to the HELP Women’s Center in Brooklyn.
As these transitions unfold, City Hall confirmed that it would return control of all city shelters to the Department of Homeless Services, effectively winding down its network of Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs) specifically set up for immigrants. However, some non-DHS temporary emergency shelters will continue to operate.
The Roosevelt shelter, which had over a thousand rooms, had about 50 shelter households remaining as of June 11, and the hotel is expected to cease all shelter operations by July 1.
Many individuals who were residing at the Roosevelt, sometimes referred to as the “new Ellis Island” due to its role as a crucial entry point for migrants, have already been relocated to one of the last remaining HERRCs situated at the Row Hotel near Times Square.
Since last June, the city has been actively closing down 62 sites dedicated to migrant housing as the influx of new arrivals has decreased. As of now, the Row Hotel is not part of the planned closures for the year, according to a spokesperson.
When the decision to close the Arrival Center was communicated by Mayor Eric Adams in February 2023, he underscored it as a significant milestone in the city’s nearly three-year response to the challenges posed by the humanitarian crisis of asylum seekers.
During its time of operation, the facility was contentious, especially highlighted during a summer heatwave in 2023 when individuals seeking shelter found themselves sleeping on the streets. In another political context, the center faced scrutiny when President Donald Trump withdrew $80 million in federal grants earmarked for migrant services in New York City.
The Arrival Center’s multifaceted role encompassed not just sheltering but also providing immigration assistance, health checkups, vaccinations from NYC Health + Hospitals, and additional critical services.
The fear among homeless advocates regarding the closure of this facility centers around whether individuals can continue to access these essential resources in the broader DHS network. Will Watts, the deputy executive director for advocacy at the Coalition for the Homeless, expressed his concerns by highlighting that when facilities close, questions arise about whether the city can adequately support those displaced.
In addressing the closure, City Hall stated that the Department of Homeless Services would implement case management services through its contracted organizations, which is an essential step in catering to the unique needs of these populations.
Legal Aid Society attorney Kathryn Kliff emphasized the importance of training for DHS staff on the specific challenges faced by migrants compared to non-new arrival clients.
Remaining HERRCs will be staffed with Behavioral Health teams intended to provide crucial mental health support, crisis intervention, and trauma response; however, Will Watts of the Coalition for the Homeless noted that this support might only be available at the Row Hotel for families.
Amid these changes, there’s also growing concern about the adequacy of case management services that migrants require to connect with available resources and legal support.
Under the current administration, President Donald Trump has intensified immigration enforcement actions, including directives to detain individuals attending routine immigration hearings and expediting deportations, a situation compounded by a lack of legal representation for many.
City Hall assured that for migrants currently residing in shelters, they would utilize the connections established by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs with community-based legal assistance groups for referrals. Those seeking help can directly contact the MOIA Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365, operational Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to City Limits’ Homeless Shelter Tracker, a significant number of migrants and asylum seekers were already being sheltered in DHS-run facilities as of April. However, many new arrivals are still subject to contentious 30- and 60-day shelter deadlines.
The Coalition for the Homeless pointed out that these time limits affect all migrants in non-DHS shelters and for single adult and adult family migrants within DHS facilities.
Interestingly, once individuals reach the end of their allocated time, they are no longer compelled to return to intake centers for extensions; instead, they can request an extension at their current shelter, where it should be granted according to Legal Aid and Coalition for the Homeless.
Advocates have criticized these shelter deadlines for disrupting the lives of migrants, particularly families with children who face the burden of relocating each time their stay concludes. Caroline Schwab, a neighborhood organizer with the Open Hearts Initiative, highlighted the detrimental effects these policies have on families trying to achieve stability while adjusting to their new lives in the city.
The uncertainty surrounding the availability of necessary resources and legal support, combined with the logistical challenges posed by shelter deadlines, continues to be a significant concern for advocates who support the migrant community in New York City.
image source from：citylimits
