News Summary
New York City will close Row NYC, the last hotel repurposed for housing migrants, when its contract expires in April 2024. This decision comes amid growing challenges in managing the migrant crisis that has strained city resources. Serving as a shelter since October 2022, the hotel has faced criticism over rising crime and concerns from local residents. The city’s shift from hotel accommodations to permanent housing solutions represents a significant change in handling the ongoing crisis. Mayor Eric Adams aims to improve public safety and economic conditions for local communities.
New York City will close Row NYC, the last hotel repurposed for housing migrants, when its contract expires in April 2024. The decision comes as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to manage the migrant crisis, which has strained city resources and affected local communities.
Located on Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the Row NYC hotel has been serving as a migrant shelter since October 2022. Mayor Eric Adams has confirmed that the city’s current monthly contract with the hotel, costing $5.13 million, will not be renewed. The hotel was initially utilized for migrants after New York’s homeless services system reached its capacity, marking it the first establishment of its kind for this purpose.
Since accepting migrants, the Row NYC has generated over $170 million in revenue for its owners, which include Highgate, who took complete ownership last year. Before the hotel shifted its operations, it typically charged between $414 to $435 per weeknight for standard accommodations.
The migrant sheltering initiative in NYC has faced criticism and challenges amid rising crime associated with the hotel. Reports indicate a surge in illicit activities, including violence linked to the Tren de Aragua gangs, and incidents involving migrants, such as a Venezuelan national robbing a Manhattan prosecutor at gunpoint. Local residents have also raised complaints about increased litter and declining business activities surrounding the hotel’s operations.
As of June 2024, the city is managing 193 migrant shelters, of which 153 are former hotels. The recent closure of Row NYC signifies a broader trend, with the number of utilized hotels for migrant housing decreasing from a peak of 220 to just four remaining contracted options. This significant reduction in accommodations reflects a shift toward more permanent housing solutions, with the Department of Homeless Services assimilating remaining migrants into the city-run shelter system. Currently, about 92,000 residents are accommodated within this system, including approximately 35,400 migrants.
New York City’s migrant crisis has resulted in substantial financial implications for taxpayers, exceeding $8 billion since spring 2022. In total, approximately 238,000 migrants have sought shelter and support within the city during this period. Mayor Adams has highlighted the city’s approach to facilitating these transitions, with over 200,000 migrants reportedly aided toward achieving self-sufficiency. Furthermore, he has pointed to the city’s success in closing multiple emergency migrant sites as part of its recovery efforts.
The Midtown South precinct, which houses the Row NYC and encompasses Times Square, has historically experienced high crime rates. Although recent reports show a 10% decline in crime, the area remains known for violence, raising concerns among residents and local businesses regarding safety and community implications.
In summary, the scheduled closure of Row NYC marks a significant milestone in New York City’s management of the migrant crisis. As the city continues to shift toward integrated housing solutions and work on reducing its financial burden, local communities are hopeful for improvements in public safety and business conditions.
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Additional Resources
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: New York City
- ABC 7 New York
- Google Search: NYC migrant hotel
- New York Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City
- The Wall Street Journal
- Google News: New York City migrant crisis
- CBS News
- Google Scholar: NYC migrant housing
- Spectrum Local News
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK CITY STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYorkCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York City, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York City, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
