A hotel in a trendy neighborhood in New York City has been converted into emergency housing for migrants with families, operated by the not-for-profit social service provider St. P.A.U.L’s Inc. The Department of Homeless Services issued a $12.3 million contract for the management of the facility at the Hotel Le Jolie in Williamsburg, where migrant families have been residing since last year on a temporary basis. The source familiar with the shelter operation mentioned that St. P.A.U.L.’S would be taking over the operation, hoping to provide better services for the migrant families at the site. The hotel staff has not been answering inquiries about the closure, suggesting that the facility is closed for renovations but in reality is being used as emergency housing for migrants.
In response to the overcrowded shelter system in the city, the Mayor Eric Adams administration has been creative in finding housing for the influx of migrants. This includes opening shelters in unconventional locations such as McCarren Park and converting numerous hotels into emergency shelters for migrant families and individuals who have come to the city from the southern border. The agreement with the Hotel Association of New York City in January allowed for 15 hotels in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to provide temporary shelter for asylum-seeking families for up to 28 days under the “vouchering program”. The increasing costs of providing shelter to migrants have prompted measures like setting limits on the length of stays to curb expenses.
The migrant crisis has brought more than 100 hotels in the city to convert into emergency shelters, helping to address the need for housing for the large number of migrants arriving in New York City. The city has been facing challenges in providing shelter for the approximately 200,000 migrants who have arrived since spring 2022, leading to the use of hotels and the establishment of tent cities in various locations. City Hall has reported that the costs associated with combating the migrant crisis could reach $10 billion through the next fiscal year, with little federal financial support provided for this issue. The state budget has allocated $2.4 billion to help cover migrant costs, as the city continues to address the ongoing challenges posed by the influx of migrants.
The Hotel Le Jolie in Williamsburg is among the numerous New York City hotels that have been converted into emergency housing for migrants, operated by the not-for-profit social service provider St. P.A.U.L’s Inc. Since last year, the hotel has been used as a shelter for migrant families, and a recent $12.3 million emergency contract awarded by the Department of Homeless Services to St. P.A.U.L’s Inc. will continue the operation of the facility. The city has been finding innovative solutions to accommodate the increasing number of migrants, including opening shelters in unconventional locations like McCarren Park and utilizing multiple hotels for emergency housing, with the costs of these efforts expected to reach $10 billion through the next fiscal year.
In response to the urgent need for shelter for migrant families and individuals in New York City, the Adams administration has taken steps to convert hotels into emergency shelters, such as the recent $76.69 million contract with the Hotel Association of New York City. This agreement allows for asylum-seeking families to stay in designated blocks of rooms for up to 28 days under the “vouchering program”. With the growing number of migrants arriving in the city, the administration has implemented measures to limit the length of shelter stays for individuals and families to control costs. The influx of over 200,000 migrants has led to the establishment of tent cities and the conversion of hotels into shelters, with the city facing significant financial challenges in addressing the needs of the migrant population without substantial federal support.
