NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement in which he suggested the city should “reassess” its Right to Shelter law on Wednesday — just two days after about 60 men were denied shelter in potential violation of the law.
listen to wcbs 880
The Right to Shelter, which has been established law in New York City since 1981, mandates the city provide a shelter bed to anyone seeking one.
On Monday night, about 60 homeless men were forced to sleep on floors and benches at an intake center in Manhattan instead of being redirected to shelter beds, according to a joint statement from the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless.
The Adams administration acknowledged about 60 men were denied proper shelter on Monday, and said they were provided beds the next day.
The mayor blamed the potential violation on buses of migrants that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been sending as part of a political spat with the mayor.
“In the last few months, we have experienced an unprecedented surge of asylum seekers arriving from the southern border,” said Adams. “In this new and unforeseen reality, where we expect thousands more to arrive every week going forward, the city’s system is nearing its breaking point. As a result, the city’s prior practices, which never contemplated the bussing of thousands of people into New York City, must be reassessed.”
The LAS laid the blame on the mayor’s doorstep, and said he doesn’t get to change the rules just because he is struggling to adhere to them.
“While we understand and appreciate the demands that the City faces, the law is clear: Anyone in need of shelter, including asylum seekers, is entitled to such in New York City,” said the LAS. “This principle has been settled for decades, and is not subject to unilateral tinkering by a new administration.”
During the entirety of former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s eight-year term, the Right to Shelter law was violated only once, but Monday’s incident marks the second time this summer Adams’ administration has likely violated the law.
In July, the mayor's office admitted a violation in which it failed to find beds for at least five families.
With each individual who is denied shelter counting as a violation of the law, the Adams administration may be looking at over 70 violations.
The LAS said it’s considering legal action for Monday’s incident.
Related
Related
