Fair Fares Transition To OMNY, Community Health Center, Restitution For 3,4000 Workers, T-Mobile NYC’s Major Cell Carrier, Migrant Shelter Closure Announced

Fair Fares Transition To OMNY, Community Health Center, Restitution For 3,4000 Workers, T-Mobile NYC’s Major Cell Carrier, Migrant Shelter Closure Announced

Editor’s note: This announcement follows several other closures that are in the process of occurring.  Last week’s article by the Mayor included quality of life issues in the Bronx and child care centers whose leases were in danger of expiring.  Mayor Adams also marched in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Staten Island, and attended a flag raising ceremony for Bulgaria.  Afew photos are below. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams marches in the Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Image Credit – Justin Peraud/Mayoral Photography Office

MAYOR ADAMS, DSS ANNOUNCE FAIR FARES TRANSITION TO OMNY, REDUCING BARRIERS FOR WORKING-CLASS NEW YORKERS TO AFFORDABLY RIDE PUBLIC TRANSIT

Transition Will Help More Than 360,000 New Yorkers Enrolled in Fair Fares Access Their 50 Percent Discounted Rates With OMNY

City Will Begin Issuing Fair Fares OMNY Cards to All New Enrollees, Existing Clients May Request OMNY Card at Their Convenience

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park today announced the first phase of the full transition of the Fair Fares program to OMNY, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) contactless fare payment system, following the conclusion of a successful Fair Fares pilot on OMNY between DSS and the MTA. The switch to OMNY will make it easier for working-class New Yorkers to manage their transit funds and help participants save even more with automatic fare capping, which ensures that no Fair Fares client will pay more than $17 per week to ride the subway and eligible buses when using their Fair Fares-issued OMNY card. The program’s transition comes on the heels of the Adams administration’s implementation of a second Fair Fares income eligibility expansion, a joint effort with the New York City Council, which increased income eligibility from 120 percent to 145 percent of the federal poverty level and made nearly 200,000 more working-class New Yorkers eligible for the half-priced fares through the program.

“New York City’s public transit system is the lifeblood of our city, serving New Yorkers all across the five boroughs. By bringing our world-class Fair Fares program onto the MTA’s digital OMNY system, we are making it even easier for working-class New Yorkers to access discounted rides on our trains and on our busses,” said Mayor Adams. “These discounts not only make our transit system more affordable and more accessible but are helping put money back into more New Yorkers’ pockets as we continue to make New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“Every day, millions of New Yorkers rely on the city’s robust public transit system to get where they need to go, but for many working-class and low-income residents, covering the cost of transit can be a real challenge,” said DSS Commissioner Wasow Park. “It is imperative that the city’s subways, buses, and paratransit services are affordable to all New Yorkers, and the transition of Fair Fares to OMNY, coupled with the recent income eligibility expansion, will contribute significantly to our efforts to advance transit equity by not only making more New Yorkers eligible for half-priced fares, but making it easier than ever to manage transit costs and save even more with fare capping. We will continue to work closely with our community and government partners to promote the program, engage New Yorkers, and ensure that those who can benefit the most from this discount are aware of it.”

Advertisement

During the first phase of the transition to OMNY, the Fair Fares discount will be available on Fair Fares-issued OMNY cards. All new program enrollees will receive a Fair Fares OMNY card, instead of a MetroCard, and will immediately be able to tap into the subway system or on eligible buses after loading funds onto the card. Clients can add money to their Fair Fares OMNY card at one of the more than 470 OMNY vending machines located in subway stations across the city, select retail locations, online through a registered OMNY account, or by calling OMNY customer service at 877-789-6669. Current enrollees may request an OMNY card at their convenience via Access HRA otherwise, they will automatically receive one when they renew their program enrollment or request a replacement card. Clients can continue to use any active Fair Fares MetroCard until they expire. In the second phase of the transition, participants will be able to apply their Fair Fares discount to preexisting OMNY cards, bank cards, or mobile devices, making it even easier and more convenient to save on transit costs.

A critical element of the Fair Fares program is ensuring that New Yorkers who are eligible for the program are aware of it and are able to easily enroll. DSS works with a wide array of community-based organizations and government partners to educate and enroll New Yorkers in Fair Fares, including collaborating with NYCHA to share details about Fair Fares at NYCHA/Office of Neighborhood Safety events and partnering with the MTA to promote the program at Transit Talks. DSS also provides comprehensive Fair Fares trainings to its partners, and following the recent program eligibility expansion, the agency has increased the frequency of training opportunities from monthly to bimonthly, and updated trainings to include critical guidance on the transition to OMNY. Any community group, advocacy organization, municipal agency, or elected official office can register for a session at their convenience through the DSS’s online training registration platform. DSS will also launch a $2 million targeted advertising campaign to ensure more potentially-eligible New Yorkers are aware of the program and help them sign up for the benefit.

The Fair Fares discount is available to New Yorkers between the ages of 18 and 64 years old, regardless of immigration status, whose income falls at or below 145 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. New Yorkers can visit the Fair Fares website to check if they are eligible for the program, as well as apply online and begin saving 50 percent on subway and eligible bus fares or MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.

Today’s announcement builds off the Adams administration’ work to make New York City more affordable. DSS helps connect eligible, low-income New York City families with a suite of crucial benefits, such as child care vouchers, which according to the city’s latest Preliminary Mayor’s Management (PMMR) Report, has seen a 21 percent increase in enrolment over the last reporting period.

DSS also helps connect families struggling to find affordable housing or stay in existing housing they are no longer able to afford with City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) vouchers — a rental assistance program that helps people find and keep housing. Thanks to increased utilization of CityFHEPS, subsidized exits from shelter increased by 68 percent for families with children according to the 2025 PMMR, and the Adams administration recently announced a record-breaking year for placing formerly homeless New Yorkers into permanent housing.

Last summer, the MTA and New York City Public Schools connected eligible students with OMNY cards to be able to get to and from school and extracurricular activities via public transportation with four free rides a day.

The Adams administration continues to prioritize making New York City affordable for families by connecting them with initiatives like Fair Fares. To help New Yorkers easily view and understand programs they may be eligible for, the administration released a “Money in Your Pocket Guide,” which directly links to eligibility requirements and relevant applications for over 40 different benefits. Since taking office, the Adams administration has helped put more than $30 billion back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers by launching, administering, and helping New Yorkers take advantage of programs across all levels of government from Big Apple Connect, to Fair Fares, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and more

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PROGRESS ON $30 MILLION COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, STRENGTHENING HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO FAMILIES IN UNDERSERVED FAR ROCKAWAY

State-of-the-Art Gotham Health Community Health Center Advances Mayor Adams’ Efforts Alongside Local Elected Officials to Strengthen Health Care Access and Equity on Rockaway Peninsula

New Center Will Provide Primary and Specialty Care, Women’s Health, Vision, Behavioral Health, Dental, Podiatry, and Imaging Services

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards today announced that construction is now underway on a new 22,000-square-foot Gotham Health community health center that will provide comprehensive health care services to residents of Far Rockaway, Queens. The state-of-the-art community health center will expand community members’ access to primary care, specialty care, women’s health, dental, vision, podiatry, radiology, and mental health services. The Adams administration has contributed $30 million to cover the cost of retrofitting the space and providing advanced medical equipment.

“As I said in my State of the City address last month, our goal is to make New York City the best place on the globe to raise a family, and keeping families healthy is essential to keeping families in the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams. “For too long, lack of access to services has been a barrier to health care and opportunity for underserved communities here in Southeast Queens. With this facility, we are bridging the health care gap and investing $30 million to provide vital medical equipment for everyday New Yorkers.”

“New York City’s public hospital system provides care to New Yorkers without exception, including where they live,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Katz. “The opening of the Gotham Health community health center in Far Rockaway will make critical primary and specialty care services readily available to residents of the peninsula, who for too long have needed to travel elsewhere to access the care they need. We are thankful to Mayor Adams and Queens Borough President Richards whose advocacy and investment made the construction of this clinic a reality.”

“The construction of the Gotham Health center in Far Rockaway will bring critical health care services to a historically underserved community,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Kimball. “NYCEDC is thrilled to have helped facilitate funding for this health center as a continued commitment to our Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action. We look forward to working together with NYC Health + Hospitals and Queens Borough President Richards to support the Far Rockaway community.”

“This new clinic expands access to high quality, affordable health care for the Far Rockaway community,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health CEO Michelle Lewis. “With both primary and specialty care services, we are ensuring that patients are able to receive comprehensive, coordinated care. This clinic reflects our commitment to health equity and our mission to provide exceptional care for all New Yorkers.”

“It’s been a decade since I convened the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group to lead the groundbreaking $288 million rezoning of this incredible community, and the dividends this initiative continues to pay in this community are astounding. I couldn’t be prouder to have worked tirelessly alongside so many government and community partners to deliver this critical investment in the health of Far Rockaway families, as we bring the days of deliberate disinvestment in this neighborhood to an end,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “For far too long, families on the peninsula have experienced higher rates of numerous diseases, but the high-quality, comprehensive preventative care offered at this $30 million new NYC Health + Hospitals facility represents a massive step forward in making Far Rockaway a healthier and stronger community. The residents this clinic will serve deserve nothing less than the best.”

The new community health center — located at 1720 Village Lane in Far Rockaway — is expected to open in 2027, and is strategically designed to bridge health care gaps in Far Rockaway, where community members have historically had limited access to care. Borough President Richards played a crucial role advocating for the center and ensuring it will provide comprehensive health services and promote health equity for the Far Rockaway community.

The facility will offer a full spectrum of primary care services, including:

• Preventive and general medical care to support the overall well-being of individuals and their families.
• Pediatric health care to promote the growth and development of children from infancy through adolescence.
• Women’s health and maternity services to provide comprehensive gynecological, reproductive, prenatal, and postpartum care.
• Mental and behavioral health support to address community members’ emotional, psychological, and psychiatric needs.
• Chronic disease management for conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
• Comprehensive podiatry care, including treatment for diabetic foot conditions and other foot health concerns.
• Vision screenings and eye care for diagnosing and managing common vision issues.
• Complete dental care, including routine exams, professional cleanings, and oral health treatments.
• Advanced diagnostic imaging, featuring CT Scans, DEXA|Bone Density Scan, ultrasounds, and 3D mammography to provide precise medical evaluations.

The Adams administration has prioritized helping New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives with its HealthyNYC initiative, which aims to extend the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030. Increasing access to quality, preventative health care can help screen for cancers and manage chronic diseases.

This new community health center fulfills a core commitment of NYCEDC’s “Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action” and Mayor Adams’ “Rebuild, Renew, and Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery.”

“I applaud the start of construction for the new Gotham Health Community Health Center in Far Rockaway,” said U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks. “Every New Yorker deserves to have access to quality healthcare services, and this $30 million dollar investment will significantly increase access to healthcare in the Rockaways and contribute to keeping our communities safe and healthy. I remain committed to advancing this effort through my work in Congress by supporting legislation that will protect and strengthen our healthcare services to deliver live-saving care to my constituents and visitors.”

“Far Rockaway has long been in need of expanded healthcare services, and the construction of this new Gotham Health facility is a significant victory for our residents,” said New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. “This investment means better access to primary and specialty care, ensuring that our families, seniors, and children can receive the medical attention they deserve right in their own neighborhood. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this center will have on our community’s well-being.”

“The groundbreaking of the Gotham Community Health Center in Far Rockaway marks an important moment for our community,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “With significant new development in Rockaway, we must ensure that essential services keep pace with the growing demand. This investment will bring preventative services—including primary care, women’s health, dental, vision, and mental health—directly to our neighborhood. While this center will provide much-needed preventative care, we remain steadfast in our push for a Level 1 or Level 2 trauma center on the Rockaway Peninsula. I thank the administration and Dr. Katz for their leadership in expanding healthcare access, and I look forward to continuing to work together to build a healthier future for Rockaway.”

MAYOR ADAMS, DCWP COMMISSIONER MAYUGA ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $2.6 MILLION IN WORKER RELIEF FROM FIVE MAJOR BUSINESSES 

Over 3,400 Workers Will Receive Restitution for Violations of  New York City’s Workplace Laws

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced more than $2.6 million in relief secured for workers from five major businesses to resolve violations of New York City’s workplace laws, including failing to give workers their schedule far enough in advance, adding hours to workers’ schedules without their consent, and more. Burlington Coat Factory, Starbucks, Tavern on the Green, Hot Topic, and Elara Caring (an in-home care services provider) will pay a combined $2.6 million in restitution to more than 3,400 workers. As part of the agreement, all companies must comply with the city’s workplace laws going forward.

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means protecting workers’ rights and making sure they get every dollar they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “The agreements we are announcing today will help put money back in people’s pockets, build on the tens of millions of dollars we’ve already secured for New Yorkers, and reinforce that our administration will always stand up for working-class families.”

“We are committed to ensuring that every worker is treated fairly and that they know their rights in the workplace, including receiving a reliable schedule and paid time off,” said DCWP Commissioner Mayuga. “With these settlements, we are bringing relief to the thousands of workers who had their rights violated and holding accountable those employers that chose to violate the city’s workplace laws.”

Burlington Coat Factory will pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to 865 workers from one location in the Bronx and nearly $137,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to give workers their schedules 72 hours in advance, adding hours to workers’ schedules without their consent, and violating prohibitions against on-call scheduling.

Elara Caring will pay more than $913,000 in restitution to more than 2,200 workers, as well as nearly $92,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found the company violated the city’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law by not allowing workers to use their paid safe and sick time as required by the law.

Tavern on the Green will pay more than $150,000 in restitution to 301 workers, as well as nearly $16,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found Tavern on the Green violated the city’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law by not allowing workers to use their paid safe and sick time as required by the law.

Hot Topic will pay more than $135,000 in restitution to 64 workers from one location on Staten Island, as well as $15,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to get workers’ consent before adding hours to their schedule, giving workers their schedules less than 72 hours in advance, and cancelling workers’ shifts on short notice.

Starbucks will pay more than $112,000 in restitution to 48 workers from one location in Brooklyn, as well as $12,500 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to get workers’ consent before adding hours to their schedule, giving employees access to hours before hiring new employees, and failure to pay premium pay.

“Wage theft costs New Yorkers over $3 billion per year, and we will fight to get workers every penny they are owed. I was proud to help pass in Albany the bill to treat stolen wages the same as other stolen money and to provide full employment protections to domestic workers,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “Today’s settlement to resolve wage theft and other workplace law violations brings justice to 3,400 workers, putting $2.6 million they earned into their pockets. In the midst of an affordability crisis, this will uplift thousands of our fellow New Yorkers so they can have a roof over their heads and food on the table. Together, we will support all hard-working New Yorkers and ensure that they have the respect and dignity they so rightfully deserve.”

Since 2014, DCWP has received more than 13,600 complaints about potential workplace violations, closed more than 6,500 investigations, and secured more than $65 million in restitution and civil penalties for over 75,500 workers across all workplace cases. Since the start of the Adams administration, DCWP has secured more than $46 million in restitution for nearly 29,200 workers.

The Workers’ Bill of Rights — a multilingual and comprehensive guide to rights in the workplace in New York City — summarizes the laws that protect workers and job applicants in New York City, regardless of immigration status. The Workers’ Bill of Rights includes information on rights enforced by DCWP, like Paid Safe and Sick Leave, the Fair Workweek Law, the Temporary Schedule Change Law, and the city’s Delivery Worker Laws, as well as rights enforced by other state and federal agencies, like minimum wage and the right to organize. It also includes information about who to contact for more information or with questions, as well as how to file a complaint. Workers and employers can visit DCWP’s workers’ rights page or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside New York City) for more information about the laws that DCWP enforces or to file a complaint. Complaints can be filed anonymously. It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for filing complaints.

“RWDSU members fought hard to pass Fair Workweek laws and Paid Sick Leave policies that protect hardworking New Yorkers. Today, we applaud the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for their decisive action holding employers accountable under these important laws,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “Thanks to the consistent efforts of the DCWP, $2.6 million will now be returned to the pockets of New York City workers. Today’s announcement sends a clear message to companies across the five boroughs to comply with our city’s robust workplace protections, because DCWP is watching.”

MAYOR ADAMS AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER FRASER ANNOUNCE T-MOBILE AS MAJOR CARRIER FOR CITY OF NEW YORK, SAVING TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR 

City Employees Who Are Currently T-Mobile Customers Will Now Be Eligible for Discounts Off T-Mobile Personal Plans, Putting Money Back in Their Pockets 

City Employees New to T-Mobile Will Be Eligible for Personal Plans at Discounted Rates 

New Partnership to Ensure City Employees, Especially First Responders, Have Access to Cutting-Edge Technology, Reliable Service to Best Serve New Yorkers

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew Fraser, and T-Mobile today announced a new agreement to serve as the major carrier to support city operations, saving city taxpayers millions of dollars over the five-year deal on city-issued mobile devices. The new deal also ensures that city employees have access to cutting-edge technology and reliable service to best serve New Yorkers, especially in regard to public safety. Additionally, city employees who are currently customers of T-Mobile will now be eligible for a reduced rate on their monthly personal wireless plans. City employees who join T-Mobile will be eligible for personal wireless plans at a reduced rate as well. Today’s announcement represents another major step in delivering on Mayor Adams’ mission of making New York City safer through the use of upgraded technology and more affordable by putting money back in the pockets of working-class families.

“To keep New Yorkers safe, our city government needs to lead from the front, embracing innovative, forward-looking technology. But we need to also ensure we are protecting taxpayer dollars, while simultaneously finding ways to make our city more affordable for our dedicated municipal workforce,” said Mayor Adams. “T-Mobile has a proven track record of delivering the highest level of service and security needed for a city like New York City. Together, we will save million in taxpayer dollars, put millions of dollars in savings back into the pockets of our workforce’s pockets, continue to utilize cutting-edge technology, and, most importantly, ensure that our brave first responders have the tools they need to better protect our city.”

“Our mission is to use cutting-edge technology to make New York City safer and more affordable for all, and this collaboration with T-Mobile is helping us do just that,” said CTO Fraser. “By leveraging T-Mobile’s innovative technology, we’re ensuring that New York City’s first responders have the tools they need to operate at the highest level — a critical component of our mission to enhance public safety.”

“The opportunity to serve the first responders, employees, and residents of New York City is a tremendous honor for T-Mobile, and we’re already off to a great start,” said Callie Field, president, T-Mobile Business Group. “The scale and scope of what this city does to keep its people safe every day, paired with the administration’s vision of a safer and more affordable New York, is a perfect match for T-Mobile’s relentless focus on delivering solutions that combine the nation’s leading 5G network with the greatest customer value in wireless.”

The agreement will help reduce the cost of wireless services for city government employees. City government employees with T-Mobile service will be eligible for discounts on their monthly rate plan. New activation of wireless services by government employees will also qualify for discounted plans. City employees and their families will have access to discounted T-Mobile plans in the coming weeks.

T-Mobile brings a proven track record of success as the first provider in the world to roll out a 5G standalone network in 2020 and runs the largest, scaled 5G standalone network in the United States today. As part of this announcement, the City of New York will now have access to the latest 5G technology in the nation. First responders will specifically have access to T-Mobile’s T-Priority, an innovative program that delivers 5G network experience for first responders on the front lines along with increased security. T-Priority features the world’s first 5G network slice for first responders, which allows for less lag time, faster 5G speeds more consistently, and the highest priority across every single 5G band, even in times of extreme congestion.

Today’s announcement also, once again, showcases Mayor Adams’ commitment to making New York City more affordable. Over the last three years, the Adams administration has already saved New Yorkers more than $30 billion by connecting working-class families to city, state, and federal programs. Last year, Mayor Adams’ unveiled his “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” proposal as part of his Albany agenda that will bring significant tax relief to working-class families and return over $63 million to New York City families, benefitting more than 582,000 New Yorkers. Axe the Tax would eliminate the New York City Personal Income Tax for filers with dependents living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line, as well as lower city personal income taxes for filers immediately above that threshold, too. If passed into law, Axe the Tax for the Working Class could bring relief to working-class families as soon as tax year 2025.

Since taking office, the Adams administration has launched, administered, and advocated for a broad range of benefits that have saved working-class New Yorkers more than $30 billion. Highlights of these savings include:

• Big Apple Connect: Free high-speed internet and basic TV for public housing residents – $200 million.
• Child Care Vouchers: Vouchers for affordable child care – $1.9 billion.
• Direct Property Tax Relief: A range of tax abatements for seniors, disabled homeowners, and other New Yorkers – $1 billion.
• NYC Earned Income Tax Credit: Returns tax dollars to qualifying families and individuals – $345 million.
• Groceries to Go: Monthly credits to purchase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligible groceries for delivery or pickup – $8 million.
• NYC Financial Empowerment Centers: Free one-on-one professional financial counseling and coaching to help increase savings, reduce debts, and support New Yorkers’ financial goals – $26 million.
• Year-Round Free Tax Prep: Free services for qualified individuals, families, and self-employed New Yorkers – $220 million.
• Medical Debt Relief: Starting the process to eliminate medical debt for 500,000 New Yorkers – $1.8 billion.
• Summer Rising: Free summer programming, including free meals, transportation, and medical and social services support, for K-8 students – $1.9 billion.
• Transportation for Older New Yorkers: Free transportation to help older New Yorkers get to critical medical appointments, social service appointments, and more – $1.5 million.

Today’s announcement is also part of the Adams administration’s ongoing efforts to bring the city’s infrastructure into the 21st century, remain on the cutting-edge of technology, and make high-speed internet more accessible to all New Yorkers. In September 2022, Mayor Adams launched ‘Big Apple Connect,’ the nation’s largest municipal broadband program that provides residents of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments a free bundle that consists of in-home, high-speed internet connection, including a modem and router; basic cable TV service, including a cable box and remote control; and common area Wi-Fi hotspots, selected in consultation with NYCHA. As of today, Big Apple Connect has provided free access to 150,000 households in 220 NYCHA facilities citywide.

Big Apple Connect builds on the city’s suite of digital equity initiatives, aimed at making sure every New Yorker has the connectivity they need to participate in an increasingly digital society. Other efforts include the city’s Gigabit Centers, which provide free connectivity and digital literacy training to community centers, and the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation’s ‘Connected Communities’ program, a large-scale digital inclusion initiative that delivers digital literacy and employment resources in historically-underserved areas for thousands of New Yorkers every year.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES FORTHCOMING CLOSURE OF ROOSEVELT HOTEL ASYLUM SEEKER HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AND ARRIVAL CENTER

Adams Administration’s Asylum Seeker Management Strategies and Border Policy Advocacy Have Helped Lead to Over 7 Months of Shelter Census Decreases, Total Savings Reaching More Than $5.2 Billion Over Three Fiscal Years

80 Percent of Migrants That Have Sought Care from City Have Taken Next Steps in Journeys

Between June 2024 and June 2025, Adams Administration Will Have Closed 53 Emergency Migrant Shelters Thanks to Exit Policies

WATCH: Mayor Adams Announce Closure of The Roosevelt Hotel Asylum Seeker Arrival Center and Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the forthcoming closure of both the Asylum Seeker Arrival Center and Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center located at The Roosevelt Hotel, marking a significant milestone in New York City’s nearly three-year asylum seeker humanitarian response. The site has been instrumental in supporting hundreds of thousands of migrants on their journeys toward achieving self-sufficiency in the United States. Opened in May 2023 — during the height of the international asylum seeker crisis, with the city receiving an average of 4,000 arrivals each week — the facility has functioned as a centralized intake center for newly arriving asylum seekers. The site has provided a variety of supportive services to migrants, including legal assistance, medical care, and reconnection services, as well as served as a humanitarian relief center for families with children. Out of the more than 232,000 migrants that have come into the city’s care since the spring of 2022, more than 173,000 registrations were completed at The Roosevelt Hotel between May 2023 and February 2025. In recent months, the average number of registrants has decreased to approximately 350 per week. Going forward, these intake functions and supportive services will now be integrated into other areas of the system.

“While we’re not done caring for those who come into our care, today marks another milestone in demonstrating the immense progress we have achieved in turning the corner on an unprecedented international humanitarian effort,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration has skillfully managed this crisis, which has seen over 232,000 migrants enter our city asking for shelter, and The Roosevelt Hotel has been key in allowing us to effectively manage our operations, processing over 173,000 individuals through these doors. Now, thanks to the sound policy decisions of our team, we are able to announce the closure of this site and help even more asylum seekers take the next steps in their journeys as they envision an even brighter future, while simultaneously saving taxpayers millions of dollars. The fact that, within a span of year, we are closing 53 sites and shuttering all of our tent-based facilities shows both our continued progress and our ability, when faced with unprecedented challenges, to do what no other city can.”

“There are so many moments that I can point to where we have made significant strides in positively and effectively impacting the lives of the thousands of migrants who made their way to New York City, but the activation of The Roosevelt Arrival Center was true game changer,” said Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations Executive Director Molly Schaeffer. “Our work on this humanitarian relief center is far from over, and our teams and community partners remain committed to serving everyone who comes into our care; but today’s announcement is a testament to the tremendous work that has been done to date as we remain steadfastly focused on our mission!”

The planned transfer of intake functions from The Roosevelt Hotel to other areas within the system, alongside the planned closures of 53 other emergency shelter sites by June, reflects the dedicated efforts of the Adams administration to address an international crisis and to supporting asylum seekers as they pursue their path towards the American Dream. These efforts have included expanding work authorization and pathways to self-sufficiency— leading to more than 84 percent of adults eligible for work authorization receiving or applying for it in the city’s system — as well as the administration’s successful asylum seeker management strategies — including reticketing, case management, and 30- and 60-day notices — that have resulted in sustained decreases in the number of migrants seeking shelter and care from the city, now at its lowest figure since the height of the humanitarian response. There are currently fewer than 45,000 migrants in the city’s care, down from a high of 69,000 in January of 2024 and out of the more than 232,000 that have arrived in New York City seeking city services since the spring of 2022. The city’s efforts have directly resulted in approximately 24,000 fewer asylum seekers in the city’s care on a day-to-day basis, and allowed the Adams administration to announce multiple site closures in December 2024, January 2025, and February 2025.

Based in midtown Manhattan, The Roosevelt Hotel Arrival Center served upwards of 173,000 migrants at a single time upon their arrivals as part of the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers to New York City; at the peak of the crisis receiving in excess of 4,000 asylum seekers each week.

Since the first asylum seekers arrived in the spring of 2022, New York City has continued to focus on the support needed to help migrants take their next steps towards self-sufficiency. The city’s Asylum Application Help Center — a first-in-the-nation entity — has helped complete more than 98,000 applications for work authorization, temporary protected status, and asylum. The work of the New York City Department of Small Business Services and workforce development teams have connected this population to hundreds of job opportunities, and the administration’s case management and resettlement teams — in conjunction with teams across multiple city agencies — continue to find creative ways to assist recent arrivals through direct outreach, resource fairs, and onsite English as a Second Language courses at shelters, to name a few examples.

Over 84 percent of eligible adults in the city’s care either have or have applied for work authorization thanks to the Adams administration’s efforts. The city has also purchased more than 53,200 tickets to help migrants reach their preferred destinations and help reduce long-term costs for New York City taxpayers. Additionally, staff have conducted over 873,000 case management sessions with migrants, dedicated to helping them identify self-sufficient pathways out of city shelter, in addition to implementing the city’s 30- and 60-day notice policies.

As a result, more than 188,000 migrants who requested services from the city in the last three years have taken the next steps in their journeys towards self-sufficiency. Since intensive case management services began in October 2023, 40 percent more families with children in humanitarian relief centers each week have taken their next steps. Additionally, Mayor Adams successfully reduced the city’s asylum seeker spending over Fiscal Years 2024 through Fiscal Year 2026 by more than $5.2 billion.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams marches in the Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Image Credit – Justin Peraud/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City Mayor Eric Adams marches in the Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Image Credit – Justin Peraud/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will deliver remarks at a flag-raising ceremony for Bulgaria at Bowling Green Park on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Image Credit – Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will deliver remarks at a flag-raising ceremony for Bulgaria at Bowling Green Park on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Image Credit – Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Banner Image:  New York City Mayor Eric Adams marches in the Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Image Credit – Justin Peraud/Mayoral Photography Office

NYC Mayor's Office