Mamdani Halts Clearing of Homeless Camps in NYC

Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani announced on Thursday that he will stop the clearing of homeless camps across New York City.

This decision likely means an uptick in crime and disorder on the streets, not to mention an increase in fatalities among the homeless population.

Mamdani contends that camping permits are inhumane because they fail to link homeless New Yorkers with the housing they urgently need.

However, that argument feels a bit unconvincing given that New York has some of the broadest “right to shelter” laws in the country.

Those who are sleeping outside do have the option to stay inside; many simply choose not to.

One reason for this might be the rules in shelters, like prohibitions against drug and alcohol use, which can deter the homeless from staying there.

A national survey on unsheltered homelessness indicated that about three-quarters of this group struggle with serious substance abuse, a stark contrast to those in shelters.

As more homeless people stay outside, it seems they may be more likely to engage in drug and alcohol use.

Other cities that have stopped enforcing regulations on encampments have faced serious issues. In Austin, Texas, for example, unsheltered homelessness rose nearly 50% following a decision to decriminalize street camping and encampments in 2019.

Some argue that this increase is simply homeless individuals coming out of hiding, but it doesn’t explain the 20% drop in those utilizing shelters.

If individuals had the option to stay outdoors, it’s likely that more would accept it.

The task of clearing encampments isn’t new. Back in 2006, former and future NYPD Commissioner Willie Bratton initiated the Safe Cities Initiative to address the challenges in Los Angeles’ infamous Skid Row.

Just one year later, overdose deaths among the homeless there had dropped by 50%, with a significant decline in homicides too. A follow-up study noted a substantial drop in crime in the area.

Even cities that typically lean liberal, facing issues with encampments, are moving away from Mamdani’s approach.

Austin residents voted in 2021 to reinstate a ban on homeless camping, while various cities and states in the western U.S. have ramped up enforcement after the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of penalties for street sleeping and camping.

Even California Governor Gavin Newsom has started to get actively involved, advocating for the clearing of encampments.

Mamdani insists that no permits are needed because the city plans to build more permanent housing for the homeless. But, realistically, this kind of construction could take years—perhaps even decades.

His stance against clearing camps leaves him with limited options for addressing the thousands of homeless individuals living and dying on the streets in the interim.

Even if new housing becomes available, there’s no clear reason why those sleeping outdoors should be prioritized over individuals already in shelters.

If Mamdani promises permanent housing to those on the streets first, it could lead to more people abandoning the shelters.

His Democratic Socialists of America group often opposes “privatization,” yet homeless camps are, in a sense, privatizing public spaces.

Sidewalks and parks, meant for everyone, become dominated by the presence of homeless campers, disrupting areas that used to be enjoyed by families and children.

If New York state taxpayers are obligated to uphold a right to shelter, then it follows that the city’s homeless population should be held to account for taking advantage of it.

Yet, Mamdani seems to prioritize New York’s limited public spaces over these campers—a decision that is likely to lead to increased crime, substance abuse, and deaths.

Ultimately, all city residents, both homeless and non-homeless, will suffer as a result.