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NYC Advocates Push for Closure of Relief Centers Amid Migrant Shelter Crisis

2024-10-22 07:44:09.561000

As New York City prepares to close the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center in February 2024 due to declining capacity, advocates are urging the city to shut down other relief centers housing migrants. Currently, 16 relief centers remain operational, but critics, including Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, argue that these centers suffer from poor health and safety conditions. They contend that the city's shelter system is better equipped to support the needs of migrants. Recent estimates indicate that there are approximately 64,000 migrants residing in 200 shelters across New York City. Awawdeh has been vocal in criticizing Mayor Eric Adams' policy that limits shelter stays for migrants to 30-60 days, suggesting that repealing this policy would lead to better outcomes for those seeking assistance. This criticism aligns with a recent audit by the city's comptroller, which found that the implementation of the 60-day limit was disorganized and lacked adequate support services. The audit highlighted that the policy was poorly communicated to shelter providers and families, exacerbating the challenges faced by migrants in securing stable housing. [e5f377dc]

In Massachusetts, lawmakers are considering legislation that would impose a nine-month limit on family stays in homeless shelters, marking a significant shift in the state's approach to sheltering families. Massachusetts is currently the only state that guarantees families and pregnant women a right to shelter. However, the system is under strain due to an influx of migrant families and the rising number of local families facing homelessness amid a housing crisis. Shelter directors are advocating for extensions beyond the proposed nine months, as the average stay for families is around 16 months. The negotiations between the House and Senate are ongoing, focusing on the type of extensions that can be granted and the funding for these proposals. Shelter leaders are also calling for improvements in the federal government's work permit system for migrant families, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to address the growing demand for shelter. [1a4a3db3]

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