Mayor Zoran Mamdani has decided to restart sweeps of homeless encampments, backtracking on a campaign promise after criticism arose regarding his lack of action during the recent severe cold weather, as reported by the Post.
Mr. Hitzoner is expected to begin this practice again as soon as Wednesday. This method was previously employed by his predecessors and was strengthened during the Adams administration, according to sources.
The Department of Homeless Services, which has been relatively directionless since Mamdani paused the sweeps last month, will resume notifying individuals living on the streets, officials noted.
Following that, outreach workers will revisit these sites next week, aiming to connect homeless individuals to available services before dismantling their temporary shelters, officials added.
Insiders mentioned that this approach echoes what was established under former Mayor Eric Adams, who still utilized police and sanitation workers in the cleanup efforts.
This year, the city has registered over 3,300 complaints regarding encampments across the five boroughs, based on data from 311.
Mamdani’s expression reflects the seriousness of the situation, especially following the tragic deaths of 19 homeless individuals in the bitterly cold weather. This incident marks a significant challenge for the newly inaugurated administration.
City Council President Julie Menin criticized the government’s handling of the issue during a City Council meeting last week, stating, “These New Yorkers should be alive today.”
Before taking office, Mamdani had asserted his intention to end the practice of homeless sweeps. He claimed in December that it was ineffective and resulted in very few individuals being sheltered in city facilities.
After assuming his role on January 1, he directed the city’s sanitation department and police to clear only encampments near private properties or resembling them. However, the Department of Homeless Services received no clear guidance on managing the existing encampments.
A source quipped that the administration’s repeated postponements of their commitments suggest they spent much of the prior summer making politically convenient statements.
