Mamdani Resets NYC Encampment Sweeps, Prioritizing Outreach Over Removal

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says encampment sweeps will resume with a redesigned approach: the Department of Homeless Services will lead rather than the police, daily outreach by homeless-services workers will precede any removal, and after seven days of outreach the city will again offer shelter before dismantling sites; the plan includes funds for about 60 additional outreach workers. The reversal from the prior administration drew both criticism from advocates and support from those who cite cold-weather deaths as a prompt for bolder action.