New figures released by city officials reveal that nearly half of the migrant families who were given 60-day notices to vacate makeshift shelters in New York City have departed by the deadline.
The data provided by the Adams administration to City Councilwoman Gale Brewer sheds light on the dynamic situation surrounding migrant care in the city.
According to the numbers, over 8,200 families with children were issued notices, affecting 31,344 individuals, including 16,140 adults and 15,204 children.
Reportedly, 49% of the adults from these family households have already moved on from city care, while 51% remain.
Brewer highlighted a common reason for departure, stating, “A reason people leave is they get nervous about that in another 60 days are they going to have to move again so they go to Newark or Yonkers and that’s not in the numbers there.”
The report also indicates that only 14% of those who stayed remained at the same shelter where they received their notice, with 81% staying within the same borough.
Brewer’s office also emphasized that over 80% of K-12 students in shelters are still enrolled in the same school, alleviating concerns about disruptions to their education.
Mayor Eric Adams implemented the 60-day limit on shelter stays in July, citing the influx of migrants crossing the southern border and arriving in New York City.
However, the limit is not absolute; families can reapply for shelter once their initial 60 days are up. In September, Adam’s administration also implemented a change where single adults now face a 30-day limit before reapplication.
Since the onset of the migrant surge in spring 2022, over 190,000 migrants have arrived in the city, with approximately 64,400 residing in city shelters as of last week.
