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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is standing by his plan to end the practice of sweeping homeless encampments in New York City. During a press conference on Tuesday, Mamdani criticized the current administration under Mayor Eric Adams for failing to connect homeless individuals affected by sweeps to permanent housing. He emphasized the need for providing guaranteed indoor alternatives and improving shelter safety to make indoor options more appealing than encampments.
Mamdani's approach has drawn criticism from both outgoing Mayor Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor Hochul supports a strategy that combines enforcement with connections to supportive housing and services. Despite the pushback, Mamdani insists on creating policies that offer real solutions, rather than temporary fixes, to homelessness. He stated, "We have to create a policy that actually puts New Yorkers in a warm place, not just a marginal improvement in conditions."
The current administration claims that sweeps have successfully moved thousands of people into shelters and permanent housing. However, data specific to encampment sweeps indicate that these operations have not resulted in any permanent housing referrals in over a year. Mamdani's plan includes discussions with real estate developers and advocates to accelerate housing production and reduce bureaucratic barriers.
The mayor-elect also aims to address systemic inefficiencies, such as the lengthy wait times to fill affordable housing units. Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, noted that Mamdani's discussions with developers left participants hopeful for public-private collaboration in addressing housing challenges. Mamdani is set to take office next month, and his policies will likely continue to be a topic of debate as he seeks to implement his vision for tackling homelessness in New York City.
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