New York City's mayor, Eric Adams, has faced widespread criticism after suggesting that migrants should be excluded from the city's right-to-shelter mandate, just as severe flooding left many of the most vulnerable residents exposed to dangerous conditions.
In an appearance on WABC's Sid & Friends In the Morning on Thursday, Adams said he did not believe the right to shelter applied to the migrant crisis. The following day, torrential rain swamped large parts of the city, closing roads and rendering several subway lines inoperable.
Will Watts, deputy executive director for advocacy at the Coalition for the Homeless, described the mayor's remarks as "unconscionable" and said the flooding served as a stark reminder of why the right to shelter is critical. "That's why it's unconscionable that Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul are even considering weakening that fundamental right, especially as winter is approaching," he said.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Adams declared a state of emergency on Friday morning, urging residents to remain indoors. "If you are at home, stay home. If you are at work or school, shelter in place," Adams said.
The flooding has also heightened concerns for those living in basement apartments, which are particularly vulnerable to flash floods. The tenant advocacy group Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone (Base) repeated calls for a legalisation programme to ensure flood protections and better emergency outreach. In a statement, Base said: "Opt-in text messages and belated emergency alerts are woefully insufficient. Protecting the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on basement apartments for affordable housing must start with legalization, and include major investments in the city's stormwater infrastructure."
The National Weather Service reported that one to five inches of rain had already fallen in parts of the city by Friday morning, with a further one to two inches per hour expected in Brooklyn and Queens. Adams warned that as much as eight inches could fall within 24 hours.
