NYC shelter moves destabilize migrant families, advocates say

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Five times. That’s the number of moves Kelly – a Venezuelan migrant mother of seven children – said she’s had to make from one New York City shelter to the next since arriving in the United States in January.

"It’s bad for my children," Kelly said during her testimony Tuesday in front of the Council committees on General Welfare and Immigration.

This long-planned hearing was meant to address the much-discussed disruptiveness of the 30-day single adult and 60-day family shelter limit police implemented last summer by the Adams administration, and defended Tuesday by Molly Schaeffer, the city's head of asylum seeker operations.

"None of these policies were done easily. These were done to really make sure we were protecting both our shelter system and people at their most vulnerable time," said Schaeffer.

But in an unexpected move, Mayor Eric Adams relaxed the policy a day before the council hearing, waiving the tedious reapplication process.

But it is only for migrant families staying in the city’s HERRC, or humanitarian emergency shelters.  

“Much better," Kelly told PIX11 News after her testimony. But then she went on to complain about the rules that often complicate migrant life in general inside a shelter.

She echoed concerns, expressed by advocates, who say shelters destabilize migrant families – especially students.

"You completely uproot them. They lose contact with everything. They are not able to create a community. We want permanent shelter and dignified housing for everyone," said migrant advocate Ximena Bustamante.

Migrant advocate Mariel Acosta added, "By staying in a stable housing situation, their kids can go to school. People can retain a job. They can build communities."

In a statement, Mayor Adams said in part:

“…we’re doing everything we can to make sure that our shelter system serves its purpose as a soft landing spot for new arrivals — not their final landing spot.

“The new policies we’re implementing today will build on our successes, save taxpayers millions, and help even more migrants take their next steps towards fulfilling their American Dream.”