Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, declared on Monday that places of worship will accept migrants to assist ease the city's housing shortage.
Through a new, two-year cooperation with NYDIS, up to 50 houses of worship or other places of worship will be able to provide overnight refuge for up to 19 single adult men at each location.
According to the city, the initiative will initially house up to 1,000 asylum applicants with room for growth.
According to the mayor's office, the overnight shelters will provide a full range of services, including dining and social rooms, showers, meals, storage space, and more. Comparable services will be provided in the bigger, daytime venues.
Muslim Community Center In Brooklyn
Sonia Ali has already been working on this project at the Muslim Community Center in Brooklyn, which has been hosting migrants for the past few months. The city will spend far less than a hotel stay—roughly $125 per day—by spending the night at a place of worship.
Additionally, Adams asserts that the more they can develop into houses of worship, the better, as these locations will host smaller groups. The mayor claimed that despite such measures, the existing state is unsustainable. He stressed the need for pro bono lawyers who can assist migrants with paperwork to file for asylum and work permits as well as the necessity for federal assistance once more.
Mayor's Visit At The Roosevelt Hotel
The mayor unexpectedly dropped at the Roosevelt Hotel on Sunday, meeting with migrants and touring the building. Some immigrant families have been staying in the Roosevelt Hotel as a welcome center and temporary home.
The city is still having trouble locating more long-term housing options for migrants. More than 500 potential venues have already been screened.
Migrants are therefore staying in respite facilities in the interim. These are designated as waiting rooms by the city, where they can stay until a spot becomes available at a long-term shelter.
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