【Epoch Times, July 23, 2026】In the past week, a large homeless encampment spanning nearly 12 blocks along 11th Avenue in Manhattan’s West Side has begun the cleanup phase after completing the outreach counseling program required by the New York City government. However, the latest on-site situation shows that most of the campers have not accepted shelter placement but instead have packed up their tents before the arrival of cleanup crews and moved to neighboring blocks to set up camp again. Residents question whether the camp has simply been “moved to the next street,” with the underlying issue left unresolved.
This camp is located between West 34th Street and West 46th Street along 11th Avenue, near tourist and exhibition areas such as Hudson Yards, the Javits Center, and the Intrepid Museum. Nearby residents have noted a continuous increase in the number of homeless individuals with tents in recent months, with certain sections of the sidewalks becoming nearly impassable. Reports of homeless individuals using public facilities for bathing, engaging in open drug use, and tapping into public electricity have raised concerns about public safety and environmental hygiene.
According to the city’s new procedure, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) posts cleanup notices at the campsite, and outreach workers visit for seven consecutive days to encourage campers to move into shelters and assist them in accessing medical, social, and housing resources. After this period, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will dismantle the tents, with the NYPD maintaining order on-site.
However, a report by CBS on the evening of July 21 revealed that many campers have refused shelter placement due to concerns about safety and lifestyle restrictions, opting instead to relocate their tents to areas near West 44th Street, West 49th Street, and 12th Avenue, planning to rebuild once the cleanup is completed.
This cleanup also highlights a shift in New York City’s approach to managing homeless encampments. Former Mayor Adams employed a more rapid cleanup model during his tenure, but the proportion of campers actually moving into shelters remained low. Current Mayor Mamdani has thus introduced a new “outreach first, cleanup later” procedure in an effort to increase the willingness of campers to accept shelter. However, the movement of many campers to nearby blocks to rebuild their tents following the cleanup in the West Side area has raised doubts about the effectiveness of the new policy.
Governor Ho Chu recently stated that criminal activities must be dealt with according to the law, and allowing individuals with mental illnesses or disabilities to continue living on the streets is “inhumane.” She emphasized that current laws in New York State empower law enforcement and mental health professionals to intervene and assist those who are unable to care for themselves due to severe mental illnesses. Given the current situation, it is deemed necessary to take action, with the state government coordinating with the city government to provide support.
Some residents are concerned that if campers simply shift from one street to another without truly accepting shelter, the related issues may gradually spread to surrounding communities. This situation could not only hinder the improvement of the neighborhood environment but also potentially trigger backlash from more community residents.