Mayor Mamdani Unveils Shelter Plan for Winter Safety
TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced new efforts that the city will take ahead of the two coldest days of this winter. As part of a wide range of additional actions the city is taking, the Mamdani Administration is activating new direct street outreach workers, mobilizing additional mobile warming units with clinicians and resources, and recruiting health care professionals, non-profits, and providers to open up additional warming facilities - all part of the effort to keep every New Yorker safe this weekend.
Mayor Mamdani also announced a new expansion in hotel shelter units through the middle of next week, targeted towards individuals who have been resistant to other forms of more traditional shelter. In addition, earlier this week, the Mayor announced the opening of 50 safe haven beds in Upper Manhattan and the expedited opening of a safe haven, 106-bed shelter in Lower Manhattan. These shelter options provide New Yorkers a respite from the cold - and are a first step towards long-term stability. These new efforts build on the over 1,250 DHS placements into shelter, including 27 involuntary DHS transports, to keep New Yorkers safe and out of the cold. On the night of February 5th into February 6th, DHS saw a doubling of shelter placements from the previous night - indicating that our repeated efforts and additional shelter options are bringing more New Yorkers out of the cold and indoors.
"With this cold continuing to endure, so too will our efforts. While City government is doing everything in our power to offer warm spaces, shelter and protection, I am echoing my call to our fellow New Yorkers," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "We all must do our part to keep one another safe over the days to come. If you see someone in need, please call 311 immediately so our outreach workers and first responders at FDNY and NYPD can provide assistance. And to those who may consider themselves more comfortable on the streets, I want to speak directly to you to implore you - come inside. These temperatures are too low and too dangerous to survive. Please wait out the cold in a safe place with a warm bed.
Mayor Mamdani announced that the city will take the following new steps to ensure that homeless New Yorkers have as many options to come out of the cold and indoors this weekend. Working with city agencies, local nonprofits, and through new public-private partnerships, the city is:
Since the start of these life-threatening weather conditions earlier this month, the Mamdani Administration has taken aggressive action to keep New Yorkers safe. The Mayor put out four PSAs on the cold weather conditions, including one on LinkNYC terminals across the city , which can be used to contact emergency services.
Mayor Mamdani continues to emphasize that no New Yorker will be turned away. The City remains in Code Blue protocols with expanded outreach canvassing and relaxed intake procedures. Being outdoors for even a brief amount of time this weekend will be dangerous and life-threatening. New Yorkers are encouraged to cover their skin, including their mouths, ears, and face.
As Mayor Mamdani has repeatedly said: if you are still outdoors, please come inside. We want to help you. We want to keep you safe.
https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/02/mayor-mamdani-announces-new-shelter-and-outreach-efforts-to-keep.html
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