Asylum Seeker Census
Last updated August 24, 2023Asylum Seeker Census
The City of New York has opened emergency shelters, Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs), and respite centers to provide shelter for people seeking asylum under the right-to-shelter obligation, found in the State Constitution.
As of May 26, 2024, the City had approximately 65,600 people seeking asylum in City funded shelter, and over 199,900 have come through the City’s system since the spring of 2022. To meet the need for shelter, more than 216 sites including 15 humanitarian relief centers have been opened. Shelter facilities are operated by a variety of agencies and differ by population, serving families with children, adult families, and single adults. The administration has prioritized space in emergency hotel shelters operated by DHS for families with children, moving single adults to large congregate facilities more likely to be operated as HERRCs by H+H or HPD. The City has also placed families in the larger semi-congregate site of Floyd Bennett Field (spaces are for families of two to six people, with partitions eight feet high and open above).
Asylum Seekers in City Funded Shelter by Managing Agency (Individuals)
Asylum Seekers by Shelter Type (Individuals)
Individuals seeking asylum residing in City shelters are classified into one of three household types: families with children, adult families, and single adults. The census is broken down by household type. The proportion of the population that is families with children has been the largest share of the population in FY 2024, and on May 26, 2024, represented 77% of the asylum-seeking population in NYC funded shelter.
In August 2023, City Hall instituted a 60-day limit on single adult stays at HERRCs, and reduced that time limit to 30 days in October, these individuals would need to reapply for shelter. On October 16, City Hall announced that families with children in non-DHS shelters will also be required to move and reapply for shelter after 60 days. On November 13, single adults in DHS shelters started receiving 30-day notices. On January 9th, 60-day notices for families with children in non-DHS shelters began to expire, and since then the number of individuals in City-funded shelter has decreased. According to data provided by City Hall as of May 26th, a total of 10,909 families with children in emergency shelters have been given 60-day notices. These households include a total of 38,025 individuals, 19,706 adults, and 18,319 children. Of the 13,710 adults from families with children in households whose 60-day notices had expired as of May 26, 17% remain in the shelter where their 60-day notice was given, 32% have been transferred to other shelters, and 51% do not remain in shelter. See the Comptroller’s recent investigation of the Adams Administration’s implementation of the 60-day rule.
The Administration does not record next steps for those exiting shelter; information on asylum seekers transitioning out of City-funded shelters, and whether they have secured their own housing, is not available.
This chart shows a four-week average of new arrivals and departures based on the overall shelter census change and the number of new arrivals or departures each week. When there were more people entering shelter than leaving, the shelter census grew. After the time limits on shelter stays were implemented, the number of people leaving shelter increased. At the same time, the number of entries has decreased which may be the result of the time limits and other deterrents such as curfews and long waiting times, decreased border crossings or other unknown factors. In late April 2024, the four-week average of entries exceeded exits for the first time since January 14th. In mid April 2024, the four-week average of entries exceeded exits for the first time since January 14th, and after six weeks on May 26th, exits again exceeded arrivals.
On March 15th, 2024, the Adams Administration entered into a stipulation of settlement agreement with the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless regarding the City’s Right to Shelter law, as it applies to single adults.[1] Those seeking an extension of their stay must prove they have a disability or extenuating circumstances. Single adults who do not have extenuating circumstances must depart shelter when their notice matures. Another part of the stipulation requires the closure of waiting rooms or overflow sites, locations where asylum seekers were forced to wait in line for a new shelter assignment.[2]
Four Week Average of Asylum Seeker Entries and Exits
[1] Under the stipulation, newly arrived single adults 23 and older will be granted a shelter stay for 30 days, and newly arrived single adults between 18 and 23 will be granted a shelter stay for 60 days.
[2] https://www.curbed.com/article/nyc-migrants-shelter-stories-st-brigid-church-reticketing.html
Asylum Seekers in NYC Funded Shelter Outside of NYC (Individuals)
Asylum Seekers Outside the City
In May 2023, City Hall began sending some asylum seekers to hotel shelters upstate. The City of New York faced legal pushback from several counties, but continues to pay for shelter and services in several locations around the state.
New Arrival Students in Public Schools
More than 36,000 students in temporary housing enrolled for the first time in NYC public schools since July 2022, an increase driven by new arrivals.
Cumulative Newly Admit Students in Temporary Housing Since July 2022
Cumulative Newly Admitted Students in Temporary Housing by District
Newly Admitted Students in Temporary Housing
This map shows the cumulative number of students who first enrolled in NYC public schools since July 2022 and who are in temporary housing by district.
The Office of the Comptroller uses the term “asylum seeker” to refer to newly arrived migrants who have come to NYC in need of shelter and are seeking asylum or other forms of immigration relief.