Department of Social Services

NYC opens 50 single-room shelter units for homeless New Yorkers amid historic cold stretch

Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

February 2, 2026

NYC opens 50 single-room shelter units for homeless New Yorkers amid historic cold stretch

Amid a historic stretch of extreme cold, New York City is opening additional single-room shelter units for homeless New Yorkers in Upper Manhattan. On Saturday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Park announced an emergency expansion to reach unhoused individuals who may avoid shelters because they do not want to share space with others. According to preliminary findings from the city, as of Monday morning, 16 New Yorkers have been found dead outside, with hypothermia playing a role in 13 deaths, Mamdani said during a press conference.
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Policy

All new NYC homeless shelters now required to have air conditioning

Credit: Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr

June 18, 2025

All new NYC homeless shelters now required to have air conditioning

By Aaron Ginsburg

All newly constructed homeless shelters in New York City must now include air conditioning under a new city policy. On Tuesday, Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced an addendum to the agency’s request for proposals for traditional shelter sites, requiring that new facilities include air conditioning throughout, including in sleeping areas, to protect residents from the summer heat. Currently, four in 10 city shelters have no air conditioning in sleeping rooms, according to Gothamist.
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Policy

Department of Social Services

NYC opens 50 single-room shelter units for homeless New Yorkers amid historic cold stretch

All new NYC homeless shelters now required to have air conditioning

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