NEW YORK: In partnership with New York State, New York City will construct and open a new humanitarian relief center on Randall’s Island to serve up to 2,000 adults seeking asylum.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the placement of a new Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center on Randall’s Island as the number of asylum seekers currently in the city’s care surpasses 57,200, according to details available on New York City’s website.
New York State reimburses the city for the associated costs of the site, including construction, maintenance, and staffing.
This humanitarian relief center will provide a range of services, in addition to ensuring asylum seekers can reach their desired destination, if not New York City.
“As the number of asylum seekers in our care continues to grow by hundreds every day, stretching our system to its breaking point and beyond, it has become more and more of a Herculean effort to find enough beds every night,” said Mayor Adams.
“We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and New York state for their partnership in opening this new humanitarian relief center and covering the costs, and we need more of the same from all levels of government. We will continue to work with the governor and elected officials across the state to address this crisis as New York City continues to do more than any other level of government.”
“The opening of the latest humanitarian relief center on Randall’s Island demonstrates that the city will continue to meet its obligations, but it also shows that space continues to tighten,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “As we have reiterated in recent weeks, all options for shelter space remain on the table. Thank you to Governor Hochul and her team for working with us on this space and for stepping up to cover the associated costs.”
