NYC policy on how long migrant families can stay in shelters was 'haphazard,' audit finds

Time:2024-06-03 18:19:42Source:Global Gleam news portal

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City policy imposing 60-day limits on shelter stays for migrant families was rolled out haphazardly over the past six months — with issues such as the city failing to notify pregnant women they may be exempt, a new audit by the city’s comptroller has found.

The city began evicting migrant families in early January in order to ease pressure on its strained shelter system. However, women in their last trimester of pregnancy were exempted after news that 26-year-old who was nearly nine months pregnant was among those moved out.

That policy was never actually written down or communicated properly to agencies, shelter providers or the women themselves, according to the report released by Comptroller Brad Lander this week.

“No written policy was ever promulgated. Staff and contractors did not get that information. The notice that you get when you get a 60-day notice doesn’t tell you that if you’re pregnant, you’re exempt,” Lander said Thursday at a news conference.

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