NYC Mayor Eric Adams Forced to Reverse Plans to Use Luxury Harlem Complex As Migrant Shelter After Community Outrage

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reversed his decision to convert an abandoned luxury apartment complex in Harlem into a shelter for migrants following strong opposition from the local community.

The mayor made a surprise appearance at a community meeting on Thursday in Upper Manhattan to address the concerns of residents who were unhappy about the lack of communication and transparency regarding the proposed shelter.

The Building’s History and Community Reaction

The building, located at the corner of 130th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., was originally marketed as luxury housing with amenities such as a swimming pool but has been vacant for about a decade after developers defaulted on loans.

It was later leased to a nonprofit working with the city’s Department of Social Services/Homeless Services to potentially use it as a shelter for migrants or the city’s native homeless population.

Residents expressed their frustration over seeing bunk beds being moved into the building without any clear answers from city officials. Tiffany Fulton, executive director of Silent Voices United Inc., voiced her disagreement with the plan, highlighting the needs of the local community.

“No, I don’t agree with it turning into a sanctuary for asylum seekers knowing we have people right here that need the space,” she said.

Eric Adams Responds to Community Concerns

During the meeting, Mayor Adams responded to the community’s concerns, stating that migrants would not be housed in the building and that it would instead be used for local homeless New Yorkers.

“We’re not moving folks into a brand-new building when you have long-term needs in a community. That’s not going to happen,” Adams assured residents.

The Broader Context of the Migrant Crisis

The reversal comes amidst the ongoing migrant crisis, which Adams has said could cost the city as much as $12 billion through 2025. New York has seen an influx of at least 170,000 migrants since the spring of 2022, putting a strain on the city’s resources and services.

Harlem’s Housing Challenges

Residents like Regina Smith and Leslie Johnson highlighted the broader issue of housing affordability in Harlem, expressing concerns about being priced out of the community and the need for affordable housing options.

“We’re being priced out of the community,” Smith told CBS, while Johnson suggested that the vacant units could be used for affordable housing instead of a shelter.

Mayor Eric Adams’ response to the community’s concerns demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing the long-term needs of Harlem residents while seeking solutions to the broader issues of homelessness and housing affordability.