NYC closes final tent-based migrant shelter as crisis response evolves

Mayor Eric Adams has announced the closure of six more emergency asylum seeker shelters, including the Creedmoor Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center—marking the end of the city’s large tent-based sheltering system.

This latest round of closures, set to be completed by June 2025, brings the total number of shuttered migrant shelters to 52 in a year. The Adams administration credits these shutdowns to strategic policies that have reduced the shelter population and helped asylum seekers transition toward self-sufficiency.

“There was never a playbook for this unprecedented response to a humanitarian crisis in our city,” said Mayor Adams. “Because of the decisions we have made and the policies we have implemented… our administration has effectively moved us to the opposite side of the mountain we were forced to climb.”

New York City has been at the forefront of the national migrant influx, with over 231,000 asylum seekers arriving since 2022. The administration reports that fewer than 45,000 migrants currently remain in city shelters—down from a peak of 69,000 in January 2024. Officials cite expanded work authorization, case management, and transportation programs as key factors in these reductions, with 83% of eligible adults in the system having applied for work permits.

The closure of Creedmoor, located on the Queens-based state-run mental health hospital campus, follows the recent shutdowns of large-scale facilities at Randall’s Island and Floyd Bennett Field. At its peak, Creedmoor housed over 1,200 migrants.

Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations Executive Director Molly Schaeffer emphasized the role of community support in managing the crisis: “Caring for these newest New Yorkers… has been a shared responsibility among all of us who love New York City and call it home.”

Beyond reducing reliance on emergency shelters, the city’s asylum-seeker initiatives include a first-in-the-nation Asylum Application Help Center, which has processed over 96,000 applications, and job placement programs connecting migrants to employment opportunities. The administration has also funded over 53,200 travel tickets to help migrants reach their preferred destinations, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers.

As the city continues to scale back its shelter system, officials highlight financial savings, estimating a reduction in asylum-seeker spending by nearly $5.2 billion over three fiscal years.

Congressman Tom Suozzi, whose district includes Creedmoor, welcomed the decision: “This is a major relief for a community that has been burdened for too long. Closing this facility will go a long way towards restoring the community’s quality of life.”

While the administration touts progress, challenges remain as thousands of migrants continue to seek stability in New York. The city now turns its focus to long-term integration efforts, balancing financial constraints with its commitment to humanitarian aid.