Department of Homeless Services

City Comptroller Mark Levine is auditing $243 million in no-bid migrant shelter contracts awarded to BHRAGS Home Care, following federal charges against the group's former leaders for embezzlement and bribery. The audit will assess whether the Department of Homeless Services properly oversaw payments to BHRAGS during the 2022 migrant crisis, as unaccounted funds and alleged bribe payments have been reported.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani provided limited details about a growing homeless encampment along Manhattan's West Side near the Intrepid Museum, which residents describe as filled with tents, used needles, and signs of drug use and prostitution. Mamdani stated the city must conduct seven days of outreach before clearing the encampment, emphasizing efforts to connect individuals with housing and services. Workers report the encampment has expanded despite cleanup attempts.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani provided few details about a growing homeless encampment along Manhattan's West Side, despite resident complaints about tents, needles, and criminal activity. The city's Department of Homeless Services must conduct seven days of outreach before clearing encampments, a process residents say has failed to stop the encampment's expansion.

New York City plans to move 110 single homeless men to a Brooklyn shelter in Sheepshead Bay without conducting criminal background checks, causing concern among residents about increased crime. The Gold Star Inn shelter, operated by BHRAGS, will transition from housing families to single men, drawing criticism from locals and City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov over safety risks.

Former city Social Services Commissioner Gary Jenkins, identified as City Official #1 in a bribery indictment against Frank Carone, is a key witness in the case. Prosecutors allege Carone directed Jenkins to approve a $6 million migrant shelter contract for a Long Island City hotel, which Jenkins did despite staff objections. Carone's defense claims prosecutors are withholding evidence to counter the narrative.

New York City's Every Child and Family is Known initiative uses the Portal by New Visions to integrate student data and shelter information, enabling school staff to support students in temporary housing through coordinated care and centralized resources. The system emphasizes the role of caring adults as primary contacts to reduce bureaucratic burdens on families.

Brad Lander, serving as NYC's chief financial officer, did not audit Bhrags Home Care despite being notified of corruption allegations. The non-profit received $68 million in city contracts while its director was later named a mastermind in a corruption scheme. Lander's office approved a contract increase for Bhrags months after learning of the allegations, which critics argue shows negligence.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited a South Bronx migrant shelter during the World Cup, where residents reported ongoing issues including bed bug infestations, poor food, and difficult living conditions. The city plans to phase out the shelter by the end of the year as part of efforts to improve shelter standards.