Staten Island Reporter

Staten Island officials, including Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Borough President Vito Fossella, and others, have spoken out against New York City Mayor Adams' recent settlement regarding the Right to Shelter law. The officials released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction with the deal, which they believe gives the city too much flexibility in its interpretation of the law.

In the statement, the officials highlighted their concerns, with Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis stating, "Staten Island’s Judge Wayne Ozzi made clear that Right to Shelter is for homeless New Yorkers, not eight billion people on the planet who may come to our city." They emphasized that while the new provision allowing for transitioning people out after 30 days is an improvement, it still falls short of the original intent of the consent decree.

The officials pointed out specific issues with shelters in Travis and Midland Beach, particularly mentioning Island Shores, which they claim is operating in violation of its Certificate of Occupancy and leasing agreement. They called for these shelters to be phased out and closed immediately to prevent further strain on city resources and housing opportunities for citizens.

The criticism from Staten Island officials reflects a broader concern about the implications of Mayor Adams' settlement on the city's approach to addressing homelessness. The officials are advocating for a stricter adherence to the Right to Shelter law to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to support homeless New Yorkers.