Advocates worry homelessness sweeps could send more people onto streets

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Some homeless advocates are attacking New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ homelessness policies.

At a rally outside City Hall Thursday they said they were particularly concerned more homeless encampment sweeps are coming.

NYC sheltered more than 86,000 unhoused people Wednesday night, excluding approximately 60,000 in the separate migrant shelter system.

The protest groups, including the Coalition for the Homeless, Safety Net Project—Urban Justice Center, Vocal-NY, Open Hearts Initiative, and WIN, fear the mayor will become more aggressive in sweeping homeless encampments from the streets and rousing those sleeping on the subways now that the Supreme Court has made it legal.

Adams has repeatedly said he will not tolerate encampments, calling them inhumane.

“The Adams administration is reaching record numbers of housing-insecure New Yorkers through CityFHEPS and cash assistance, having led the city through significant reforms and investments to improve the city’s homelessness services system. We’ve increased housing placements from shelter by 20 percent year over year, despite the lowest housing vacancy rate since the 1960s. Many of the recommendations shared today are outdated or extremely costly, while doing little to improve the administration’s $3.9 billion investment in the Department of Homeless Services this fiscal year, or our record $26 billion commitment to affordable housing in our current 10-year capital plan.”

Spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams’ office

The protest groups argue homeless New Yorkers need more cash assistance, public toilets, WiFi in shelters, and housing vouchers known as cityFHEPs.

Adams has expanded the housing voucher program, although not to the level the City Council mandated.

City Hall said it is focused on building more housing because the inventory is not there, no matter how many rental vouchers it gives out.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.