The New York City Department of Homeless Services has discreetly offered financial assistance to 150 migrant families, enabling them to leave the city shelter system and transition into permanent housing. This initiative has been confirmed by agency officials to Gothamist.
A new pilot program called Asylee Moveout Assistance is providing one-time grants. The Department of Homeless Services has made these resources accessible to asylum-seeking families and pregnant women residing in 62 emergency shelters. These individuals have already secured permanent housing, according to department spokesperson Neha Sharma.
A new initiative was introduced in December, taking inspiration from an existing city grant program. This program, known as “enhanced one-shot deals,” offers up to $4,000 to residents of city shelters to assist with their moving expenses, according to Sharma. According to Sharma, certain restrictions at the federal and state level may render some asylum-seekers ineligible for the program.
The move-out grant program, introduced with minimal fanfare, is one of the Adams administration’s innovative initiatives to decrease the number of migrants in city shelters and assist them in progressing further in their paths, as Mayor Eric Adams has expressed.
The administration has recently introduced new restrictions on shelter stays, with varying durations of 30 to 60 days for most migrants. Additionally, they have provided free travel options for migrants who choose to leave the city entirely.
The city’s migrant shelter population has remained steady at around 65,000 for the past few months, despite a significant decrease in the number of new migrants arriving and seeking shelter. A significant number of migrants, primarily asylum-seekers, have found accommodation in the city since 2022. The city has allocated over $5 billion to support this influx, averaging around $372 per night for each household.
The grants are funded by remaining funds from current budgeted contracts with nonprofit shelter operators, who also oversee the grant program, according to Sharma.
Sharma explained that migrant families in need of housing assistance can receive a one-time grant of up to $4,000. This grant can be used to cover moving expenses, security deposits, first and last month’s rent, as well as other household supplies.
According to her, families are given gift cards worth up to $1,000 to purchase essential household items, and their expenses for moving companies, landlords, and other merchants are covered directly.
