Adams Urges Mamdani to Address Homelessness

New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed concern on Monday regarding homelessness, advising his successor, Zoran Mamdani, to stay focused on controlling the issue, even as Mamdani’s incoming administration declared it would halt the dismantling of street encampments.

During a discussion, Adams highlighted the importance of managing encampments and homelessness, indicating it’s a pressing topic for many New Yorkers. He recalled their conversation from December 2, emphasizing how crucial this issue is.

Shortly after, the mayor-elect committed to ending the sweeps of homeless encampments that started under Adams’s leadership in 2022.

Adams and other critics have voiced strong opposition to Mamdani’s approach, suggesting that pushing homeless individuals onto the streets is inhumane. They also raised concerns that temporary shelters could lead to quality-of-life issues for residents and local businesses.

Adams commented on his personal visits to these encampments, describing troubling conditions, including spoiled food and drug paraphernalia, as well as concerning behavior from individuals there. He articulated that this situation is not just a humanitarian crisis but also a business concern, mentioning that the city doesn’t want its commercial areas affected by encampments.

In discussions with Mamdani, which have occurred multiple times since the election on November 4, Adams has underscored the urgency of the homelessness issue.

When asked about the lessons he gleaned from Mamdani’s remarks on street homelessness, Adams pointed to the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America, a group to which Mamdani belongs.

He noted that many might not be aware of the group’s policies, mentioning their stance against prisons and certain forms of law enforcement, and criticized the idea of decriminalizing prostitution, indicating that if Mamdani adheres to such policies, it could lead to significant quality-of-life challenges in the city.