Statement from Comptroller Brad Lander on the Emergency Evacuation from Floyd Bennett Field

In advance of tonight’s storm, the New York City Office of Emergency Management is evacuating asylum seekers from Floyd Bennett Field. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the following statement:

“Placing asylum seekers in Floyd Bennett Field, despite the known significant storm risks, highlights the mismanagement and waste of money that is all-too-present in City Hall’s approach to shelter and services for asylum seekers. The need for the City to find temporary shelter for the people already in temporary shelter demonstrates that the site was not adequately set up for extreme weather, on top of the hardship this isolated and inadequately serviced location, miles from the nearest neighborhood school, already imposes on its residents. 

“While we are reassured that people will be moved out of harm’s way, the City is re-shuffling families time and time again, as we expect more storms and severe weather throughout the winter. The emergency evacuation comes at a time when families now face even more uncertainty with the implementation of the 60-day shelter stay limit.

“Our office urges the Administration to provide clear, plain-language communication to families in their preferred languages about where they will be moved to and for how long, and to provide partners in government with clear information about what is being done to increase flood protection measures as well as the long-term plan for Floyd Bennett Field as an emergency shelter.

“Piedad, a 49-year-old mother facing eviction from the Row Hotel as a result of the 60-day rule, spoke for many migrant families this week when she told The City: ‘We’re hoping, with God’s will, we’ll get another shelter, and not the tents.’”  

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