(NEW YORK, NY) – The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless released the following in response to Mayor Eric Adams’ statement on Monday night’s violations of law that occurred at the City’s shelter intake facility for single men: “While we understand and appreciate the demands that the City faces, the law is clear: Anyone in need of shelter, including asylum seekers, is entitled to such in New York City. This principle has been settled for decades, and is not subject to unilateral tinkering by a new administration. As representatives of homeless individuals and families and the legal team who enforces New York’s historic Right to Shelter protections, it is our responsibility to monitor the shelter system to ensure that the City is meeting its legal responsibilities under these well-understood court orders. At the same time, we acknowledge that the City has added resources to the system to help avoid a repeat of what transpired Monday night when at least 60 men, many of whom have already endured the trauma of the journey here, were further harmed when they were left to sit in a City office overnight and denied access to beds. We will continue to work with the Administration to offer concrete solutions so that the City can both satisfy existing legal obligations and protect the rights and well-being of our clients, some of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
