New York City Resumes Clearing Homeless Encampments

Mayor Mamdani promises a more humane approach after pause in previous policy

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city will resume clearing makeshift homeless encampments, but with a new approach led by the homeless services department rather than police. Mamdani paused the previous mayor's policy for clearing encampments days after taking office, arguing it did not do enough to get people into housing. The decision comes as at least 19 people have died outside during a recent brutal cold spell in the city.

Why it matters

The move to resume encampment sweeps, albeit with a new approach, is an early test for the Mamdani administration and raises questions about the city's response to homelessness and its ability to balance public safety with compassion for the unhoused population.

The details

Under the new approach, the city will first post a notice that the encampment will be cleared, then send homeless outreach workers there every day for a week to guide people into social services. City sanitation workers will then dismantle the encampment on the seventh day, with police present as observers. This differs from the previous policy led by police and sanitation crews, which drew fierce protests from homeless advocacy groups.

  • At least 19 people have died outside over several days of brutal cold in the city in recent weeks.
  • Mamdani paused the previous mayor's policy for clearing encampments days after he took office in January 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City who announced the resumption of clearing homeless encampments with a new approach.

Eric Adams

Mamdani's predecessor as mayor of New York City, who had touted sweeps of makeshift encampments as a centerpiece of his efforts to restore order to the city.

David Giffen

The executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, who criticized Mamdani's new approach as a 'political response' that would fray trust between the city's outreach workers and unsheltered residents.

Julie Menin

The New York City Council Speaker, a Democrat who called Mamdani's move 'an important step forward' and said protecting lives must remain the top priority.

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What they’re saying

“We will meet them looking to connect them with shelter, looking to them with services, looking to connect them with a city that wants them to be sheltered and indoors and warm and safe. And that is something that I believe will yield far better results.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (wbal.com)

“When a city worker shows up and throws out all your belongings, you're not going to trust that person the next time they show up offering you a place to sleep inside.”

— David Giffen, Executive Director, Coalition for the Homeless (wbal.com)

“Allowing New Yorkers to stay on the street during extreme weather is inhumane. Protecting lives must remain our top priority.”

— Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker (wbal.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.