A program designed to resettle 1,250 families across New York State has moved only about 170 households, barely easing the burden on the city’s shelter system. New York’s program has had many obstacles. It has placed migrant families in only five counties because of widespread resistance in much of the state. Some county executives have issued executive orders to try to keep migrants out. Ed Romaine, a Republican Suffolk County executive, said, “Suffolk County is not, or will it be, a sanctuary county.” New York’s program was intended to help migrant shelters and chip away at them. The migrant shelter program stands at about 65,000 people, including 15,000 families. This increase is because of increased border crossings, paralysis in Washington and New York’s unique rule requiring it to offer a bed to every homeless person. However, there is lot’s of local opposition to the program and the state is resettling migrants in only five of its 62 counties. Other contributing factors are also keeping the program from shifting into high gear such as a shortage of affordable housing. The state says it has tried to make the program more appealing to both migrants and landlords, who might reasonably worry about whether tenants will be able to pay rent once the subsidy ends. New York City is paying an average of nearly $400 per night to shelter each migrant household. Keeping 1,250 families in shelters for a year costs at least $180 million. Many people are opposed to this program but it is helping families find a place to live and work so they have a better life.

Grace Sands