Advocates urge Adams administration to stop evicting asylum seekers from New York City shelters
NEW YORK -- New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and a group of council members want Mayor Eric Adams to stop evicting asylum seekers from city-provided housing.
Currently, families must find new places to stay after 60 days and single adults must move after 30 days.
Reyna Alvarez, a single mother of four, said she came here to escape violence in Venezuela. Through a translator, she said moving out of a shelter after 60 days caused extra stress while she looks for work.
"They keep changing us one day after the next, and it's putting our child's education in jeopardy," said Alvarez.
She joined another family outside Metro Baptist Church on West 40th Street, which has been providing services to new immigrants.
Two weeks ago, we reported on about 40 families, including a pregnant woman, getting evicted from The Row Hotel near Times Square.
Last week, we found single adults spending days waiting in freezing temperatures outside a processing center they were evicted from after 30 days.
"Giving 30-day and 60-day eviction notices is not case management. It's psychological torture," said immigration advocate Power Malu.
"I urge the mayor to abandon this counterproductive and cruel, cruel tactic," said Speaker Adams.
The mayor's administration said it has been trying to keep families close to their children's original schools.
"Do not tell me that they can move elsewhere and get a bus. I can't get buses for my special education students," said Councilwoman Gale Brewer.
"Our mayor is a slumlord," said Deputy City Council Speaker Diana Ayala. "What is the goal here? Other than to break down the moral character of these folks."
A spokesperson for Mayor Adams said they are using the limited tools available and, "As thousands of people continue to arrive here every month, the federal government must finish the job they started by allowing migrants to immediately work, provide meaningful financial support so cities can continue to manage this crisis, and create a coordinated entry system."
In the past, the mayor said the eviction policy was necessary as the city runs out of room. He claimed most people do end up finding housing on their own.