Mayor Mamdani Reinstates Homeless Encampment Sweeps in New York City

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reversed course on a previous policy and will resume sweeps of homeless encampments, according to announcements made on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The decision follows criticism over the administration’s response to recent cold-weather related deaths and a surge in complaints regarding encampments across the five boroughs.

Policy Shift and Department of Homeless Services’ Role

Mayor Mamdani is reinstating the practice of clearing encampments, a strategy employed by previous administrations, including that of former Mayor Eric Adams. The change comes after Mamdani initially halted the sweeps last December according to the NY Post. The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will now lead the effort, replacing the New York Police Department as the primary agency responsible for the sweeps as reported by the New York Times.

Implementation of the Sweeps

The process will mirror the approach used under the Adams administration, with outreach workers attempting to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with services before dismantling their encampments. Police and sanitation workers will continue to be present during the sweeps the NY Post reports. DHS will issue notices to those living on the streets, followed by repeated visits to offer assistance.

Public Response and Concerns

The city has received over 3,300 complaints about encampments this year, according to 311 data as noted by the NY Post. The reinstatement of the sweeps comes after 19 deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness during a recent cold snap, sparking criticism of the administration’s initial response.

Recent Shelter and Outreach Initiatives

Prior to reinstating the sweeps, Mayor Mamdani announced new shelter and outreach efforts on February 6, 2026, aimed at keeping New Yorkers safe during cold weather. These included adding shelter capacity, mobilizing mobile warming units and expanding hotel shelter options according to a press release from the Mayor’s Office. Over 1,250 individuals were placed in shelters, including 27 involuntary transports, as of February 6th.

Advocacy and Appointments

On February 10, 2026, homeless advocates cheered a reversal on a low-barrier shelter rule proposed under the prior administration, which required official DHS documentation as reported by NYLAG. Faiza Ali was appointed as Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs on February 17, 2026 according to NYLAG.