NYC Mayor Reboots Homeless Encampment Sweeps

Mamdani says new approach will be more humane, but advocates raise concerns

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has resumed the practice of clearing out homeless encampments, saying he has retooled the process to be more humane. The Democratic mayor said the city's homeless services department, rather than police, will lead the efforts and involve days of sustained outreach to connect people with shelter and services. However, homeless advocates have criticized the move, arguing it will erode trust between outreach workers and unsheltered residents.

Why it matters

The decision to restart encampment sweeps comes as at least 19 people have died outside during a recent brutal cold spell in the city, raising questions about the city's response to homelessness. While the mayor's office says no one who died was living in an encampment, the spate of outdoor deaths has posed an early test for the new administration.

The details

Under the new approach, the city will first post a notice that an encampment will be cleared, then send homeless outreach workers there every day for a week to connect people with services. On the seventh day, city sanitation workers will dismantle the encampment, with police present as observers. The previous mayor's policy of clearing encampments, led by police and sanitation crews, had drawn fierce protests from homeless advocates.

  • On January 1, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani took office.
  • In the days after taking office, Mamdani paused the previous mayor's policy of clearing homeless encampments.
  • On February 18, 2026, Mamdani announced the city will resume clearing encampments with a new approach.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, a Democrat who took office in January 2026.

Eric Adams

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

David Giffen

The executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, a homeless advocacy group that criticized Mamdani's new approach.

Julie Menin

The New York City Council Speaker, a Democrat who called Mamdani's move 'an important step forward'.

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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 (wnyt.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 (wnyt.com)

“Allowing New Yorkers to stay on the street during extreme weather is inhumane.”

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

What’s next

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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.