Dozens of students, families evicted from NYC homeless shelter

Dozens of Families Evicted from Queens Homeless Shelter

A Queens homeless shelter, City View Inn in Long Island City, recently evicted two dozen destitute families with 37 school-aged kids. The families received a sudden notice that the shelter would be converted into a facility for single men, leading to their displacement.

Local residents expressed outrage over the evictions, especially since the families would be relocated in the middle of the school year and during a harsh winter. Councilwoman Julie Won criticized the evictions as reminiscent of past policies and called for Mayor Zohran Mamdani to intervene.

City Hall officials defended the decision, citing the urgent need to provide shelter for adult homeless men during severe weather conditions. However, the abruptness of the evictions left many questioning the prioritization of single men over families already residing in the shelter.

The Blissville Civic Association raised concerns about the permanency of the single men’s shelter and questioned the necessity of displacing families. Some families were moved to Jamaica, despite their children attending a nearby school.

Councilwoman Won called out Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park for the lack of communication and support for the displaced families. The abrupt evictions left 37 students without access to education, community, or a support system.

City Hall officials assured that students in temporary housing are entitled to transportation services and support. However, the sudden displacement of families from the Queens shelter has sparked controversy and raised questions about the treatment of homeless individuals in the city.