Homeless Camp Near Big Tourist Spot Remains Despite Mamdani Deadline
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned in 2025 on a platform that included expanding public services and reducing the cost of living for residents. As his administration has begun implementing those policies, critics argue that delivering on many of those campaign promises has proven more difficult than expected.
One of the most visible challenges has been a large homeless encampment
stretching across several blocks on Manhattan’s West Side. Despite Mamdani’s stated seven-day timeline for addressing the encampment, much of it remained in place after the deadline expired. One resident of the encampment, Liam, 40, told the New York Post that he appreciated the mayor’s approach.
“[Mamdani] has more of the human aspect,” Liam said. “He’s taking into account people, not just clumping everyone together.”
He added, “I feel like he’s saying, ‘Would I be happy with this if it’s me on the street?’” According to The Post, City Hall did not respond to questions about the status of the cleanup.
Reporters visiting the area on Monday found that much of the encampment
extending from West 34th Street to at least West 49th Street, remained intact. Only a handful of makeshift structures had been removed, including one near the Intrepid Museum. Sanitation workers and police officers were seen clearing portions of the area, but the cleanup appeared to be progressing gradually. The pace of the effort contrasts with Mamdani’s stated policy of allowing homeless outreach teams and social service workers seven days to encourage individuals living in sidewalk encampments to relocate before the New York Police Department begins enforcement. The seven-day deadline expired Monday with only limited enforcement activity taking place.
Sanitation crews were observed loading clothing, mattresses, and other belongings into garbage
trucks while police monitored the operation. Some people living in the encampment said their possessions had been removed, but numerous tents and makeshift shelters remained near West 44th, 47th, and 49th streets between 11th and 12th avenues.
Earlier this month, The Post reported allegations of drug activity, prostitution, and the storage of suspected stolen merchandise within parts of the encampment
Local residents and business owners have complained that the garbage-strewn camps have created safety and quality-of-life concerns for both the surrounding neighborhood and tourists. Critics have also argued that the NYPD was initially limited in its ability to intervene because of the administration’s approach to homeless encampments.
Last week, Mamdani said the city would take action to address the encampments but did not provide a specific timetable for completing the effort
Separately, reports earlier this month said the U. S. State Department blocked a planned meeting between a senior official in the Mamdani administration and Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations. According to those reports, Ana María Archila, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, had been scheduled to meet with Iran’s U. N. ambassador, Amir-Saeid Iravani, before the meeting was canceled.
