Comptroller Stringer Calls For City To Conduct Immediate Review Of Security And Conditions In Commercial Hotels Used To House Homeless Individuals

(New York, NY) – On Wednesday, following news of a tragic stabbing of a mother and three children being sheltered at a Ramada Inn on Staten Island, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer called on the Administration to conduct an immediate and thorough review of the safety and conditions of every commercial hotel being used to house homeless families throughout all five boroughs.

“The news from Staten Island is absolutely heartbreaking and my thoughts and prayers are with the mother and child who were murdered and the two children who were critically injured in today’s horrific attack,” Comptroller Stringer said. “It is my hope that the NYPD immediately apprehends the suspect and that the children who survived the attack will make a complete recovery. It is our responsibility to guarantee the safety of homeless individuals under our care. Today, I am calling on the Administration to conduct a swift and comprehensive review of all commercial hotels being used to house the homeless and provide a complete accounting of exactly what they intend to do to ensure these sites are sufficiently protected. Resources must be added immediately to any areas where shortcomings are found.”

In December, Comptroller Stringer announced the findings of an audit of shelters for families and children overseen by the Department of Homeless Services which found security lapses in sampled shelters and deficiencies in the delivery of services to families, in addition to numerous health and safety concerns. In January, Stringer released findings of an analysis of shelter violations which found more than 18,700 violations at shelter sites throughout the City.

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