NYC Shuts Down Last Migrant Shelter Hotel Amid Shelter System Decline

New York City will close its last migrant hotel, the Row NYC in Midtown, within the coming months, marking a significant milestone in the city's response to the recent migrant crisis. The Row was first converted into a shelter in 2022 when the city's shelter system became overwhelmed, and since then, over 200,000 migrants have transitioned out of the shelter system. The decision not to renew the Row's contract follows the closure of 64 emergency migrant sites, including tent-based facilities and the Roosevelt Hotel intake center, as the number of new arrivals has significantly decreased. The future of the Row NYC building remains uncertain, with no word yet on whether it will revert back to a hotel or close completely. The hotel became a symbol of New York's efforts to manage the influx of asylum seekers, but also faced criticism for crime and disorder during its time as a shelter. City officials view this closure as a step toward recovery from what Mayor Eric Adams called an 'international humanitarian crisis.'