Mayor orders compliance with shelter standards for migrants still housed under emergency provisions
In his first week as mayor, Zohran Mamdani issued an executive order aimed at addressing another crisis inherited from his predecessor: the shadow shelter system created for migrants. The order directs the Department of Homeless Services and Department of Social Services to develop a plan within 45 days to bring remaining migrant shelters into compliance with standard city shelter regulations by mid-February. The directive signals a shift from the emergency-driven crisis management that dominated the Adams administration’s response to migrant homelessness toward a more systematic, rule-based approach to shelter operations.
Background on Migrant Shelter Crisis
Beginning in October 2022, former Mayor Eric Adams faced an unprecedented influx of migrants arriving in New York City. The number grew exponentially as word spread that New York had a right-to-shelter legal mandate requiring city government to provide beds to anyone experiencing homelessness. At the system’s peak, the city operated 261 emergency migrant shelters across hotels, tent camps, warehouses, and Randalls Island facilities. The crisis overwhelmed city resources, created public debate about immigration policy, and became a major issue in Adams’ administration. With migrant arrivals declining significantly since mid-2024, Mamdani’s administration faces a different challenge: transitioning from emergency response back toward normal operations.
What Local Law 42 and Shelter Standards Require
While Local Law 42 is known primarily for restricting solitary confinement, it also applies to shelter operations. The law establishes requirements for maximum capacity in adult shelters and mandates cooking facilities in family shelters. Additionally, existing Board of Correction Minimum Standards govern shelter conditions including sanitation, overcrowding prevention, and safety requirements. Under Adams, these rules were suspended through emergency executive orders to allow the city to operate oversized shelters and temporary facilities that would otherwise violate regulations. Mamdani’s order calls for bringing remaining facilities into compliance with these standards.
The Current Shelter System
By early 2026, the migrant shelter system had dramatically shrunk from its peak of 261 facilities. At Randalls Island, hundreds of single men still lived in what was originally designed as a temporary warehouse facility. Across the city, approximately 150 hotels continue to house migrant families under emergency protocols. The exact number of people still in migrant shelters versus those absorbed into the broader homeless shelter system remains unclear. Legal observers note that bringing all these facilities into compliance with standard rules will require finding alternative accommodation for thousands of people or constructing appropriate facilities.
The Legal Challenges Ahead
Joshua Goldfein, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society representing the Coalition for the Homeless, noted that there simply are not enough beds in the regular single adult shelter system to immediately move hundreds of men from Randalls Island. Hotels housing families may or may not be fully compliant with rules governing typical family shelters. The compliance plan will require creative solutions and potentially significant new resources.
Support From Housing Advocates
The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless issued a joint statement welcoming Mamdani’s order as an encouraging step in the right direction. They noted that with migrant arrivals no longer occurring at the high levels of previous years, a crisis framework is no longer appropriate. They called for the city to develop a humane, durable housing and relocation strategy rather than continuing indefinite emergency shelter operations. Housing advocates view the transition toward normalized shelter operations as an opportunity to make permanent improvements to housing policy.
Cost and Resource Implications
Bringing hundreds of hotels into compliance with standard shelter codes could require significant building improvements and increased staffing. The city will need to determine whether to invest in upgrading existing facilities or finding alternative placements for residents. Budget considerations will significantly constrain what options are actually available to the Mamdani administration. Given the city’s other pressing needs and fiscal challenges, resources for shelter system upgrades may be limited.
Immigration Policy Context
The migrant shelter issue sits at the intersection of local homelessness policy and national immigration policy. During the Trump administration, federal immigration enforcement intensity increased. With Trump returning to office in January 2026, the national environment for immigration and migrant assistance may shift. Mamdani, who ran as a pro-immigrant candidate and has been critical of ICE enforcement, will navigate these challenges while managing the practical challenge of housing vulnerable people.
Timeline and Implementation
The February 19, 2026 deadline gives city agencies approximately six weeks to develop their compliance plan. Implementation of whatever plan is adopted could take much longer. This represents another instance where Mamdani has extended emergency orders while directing agencies to develop compliance strategies within specific timeframes. The pattern suggests an administration attempting to move from emergency governance toward rules-based administration.
Authority Links for Housing and Homelessness Policy
For information about right-to-shelter policy, visit the Legal Aid Society website. Homelessness and housing policy information is available at the Coalition for the Homeless. Data on NYC housing and shelter systems appears at NYC Department of Homeless Services. Immigration policy analysis is provided by the Migration Policy Institute.
