NYC Mayor Mamdani Reinstates Homeless Encampment Sweeps, Shifts Approach
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has resumed clearing out homeless encampments, reversing a campaign promise and marking a significant shift in his administration’s approach to addressing street homelessness. The decision comes after facing mounting pressure from business leaders and elected officials, and following a recent cold snap during which at least 19 people experiencing homelessness died.
Policy Reversal and New Strategy
Mamdani initially criticized encampment sweeps conducted by previous administrations, deeming them ineffective in securing permanent housing for those displaced. However, he now asserts that the new policy will differ significantly. The key change is placing the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) in charge of the sweeps, replacing the New York Police Department (NYPD) as the lead agency.
Instead of a seven-day notice period, outreach workers will now engage with individuals living in encampments daily, aiming to build trust and connect them with shelter, and services. “Every single day of that time period will be characterized by outreach, outreach from homeless services workers to homeless New Yorkers,” Mamdani stated during a recent appearance. He believes this “relentless outreach” will yield better results than previous methods.
Criticism from Advocates
Homeless advocates have expressed disappointment with the policy reversal. Josh Goldfein, a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society, called it “a huge step backwards,” arguing that sweeps rarely lead to lasting housing solutions and instead displace vulnerable individuals. Christine Quinn of Win NYC likewise voiced concerns, noting that Mamdani had already backtracked on two campaign promises to the homeless community.
Justification and Recent Events
The decision to reinstate sweeps followed increased calls for action after 19 deaths of people experiencing homelessness during a recent cold weather period. While it remains unclear how many of those deaths occurred within encampments, at least five individuals had permanent housing. Mamdani acknowledged the pressure to resume sweeps from various stakeholders, including business leaders. Steven Fulop, CEO of the Partnership for New York City, stated that leaving encampments is detrimental to both the broader community and the individuals living in them.
Past Sweep Data and Future Plans
A 2025 analysis by Gothamist found that the city conducted over 4,100 sweeps between January 2024 and June 2025, but only around 260 people moved into shelters with none transitioning to permanent housing. City officials have stated that NYPD officers will be present during sweeps but will no longer lead the operations. They also plan to improve the storage of belongings to prevent the loss of essential items, a common complaint from those previously swept.
Mamdani expressed optimism that the new approach, with its emphasis on daily outreach and DHS leadership, will lead to more people accessing shelter and permanent housing.