A major milestone in the fight against homelessness was signed into law Monday.
As Mayor Eric Adams stood beside Governor Kathy Hochul as she signed legislation that would allow the conversion of hotels into affordable housing, a sense of hope pervaded the air for the future amidst New York’s surging homeless crisis. However, the road to this moment has not been an easy one.
Although the mayor has repeatedly pledged support for those struggling with homelessness, he has also faced staunch criticism for using the police department and the Department of Sanitation to conduct routine sweeps and removals of homeless encampments across the five boroughs, with many advocates calling the procedure cruel due to the current state of shelters. Yet that now has the possibility to change.
