New York City builds shelter for at least 500 asylum seeking families at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn
NEW YORK -- New York City is opening more shelters at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn to keep up with the influx of asylum seekers.
Seven massive climate-controlled tents now stand on repurposed land that was once a former naval air station. Elected officials said they will soon house 500 migrant families with children.
The families are expected to move in this week.
First, they'll check in at an arrival center and undergo a health screening.
"For COVID, varicella, active tuberculosis, we screen for depression, we address urgent health care needs," said Dr. Ted Long, senior VP of NYC Health + Hospitals. "And we offer to vaccinate you and your family."
Next, they're assigned a room in the dormitory tent, where there are cots for children and adults, and cribs for babies. Each room has a lock.
"Broken up into pods for families of sizes up to six," said Long.
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There's a cafeteria where food is available 24/7 and restroom trailers that families will have to walk outside to get to. Officials said there's one shower for every 15 people.
Authorities said security will patrol the site around the clock, but some local leaders have major concerns about flooding and fire safety.
"How do you really evacuate if there's some type of climate emergency?" said New York City Council Member Joann Ariola. "The nearest fire hydrant to this HERC facility that will house 500 families at a minimum is 3,000 feet away."
Zachary Iscol, commissioner of New York City Emergency Management, said the shelter was designed with severe weather in mind. He added the fire department gave them a list of issues they're working to fix and that families will not be able to charge items that could catch fire.
"If you're plugging in a hot plate, an e-bike battery, anything that requires significant load, it'll actually cut off," said Iscol.
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Since the spring, more than 130,000 migrants have arrived in the city.
"It's correct to say that we are rapidly running out of room, and this is not a sustainable pace for New York City. But the blame for that should really go in my opinion to the White House," said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Officials said they've managed to help more than half get on their feet.
"65,000 people with our help have been able to leave our city system and start a better life," said Long.
As of October, new rules state migrant families are only allowed to stay in the city's shelter system for 60 days before they must reapply for placement.