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New York City hotels that have been converted into migrant shelters have received over a billion dollars in taxpayer funds. The city is spending an average of $156 per room per night to house migrants, with some rooms costing over $300 per night, according to a report from the New York Post.
The city has spent approximately $4.88 billion on the migrant crisis over the last few years, with $1.98 billion going toward housing. While some of this housing budget has been allocated to city shelters, about 80% of the shelters being used are motels or inns, as revealed by internal documents obtained by the New York Post.
The city has entered into multi-million dollar contracts with several New York City hotels, including a $5.13 million per month deal with the Row NYC hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The Crowne Plaza JFK in South Jamaica, Queens, has secured a $2 million per month contract for its 335 rooms.
Local business owners have expressed concern over the situation, as buildings that were once filled with customers who boosted local businesses are now filled with migrants. William Shandler, a manager at Iron Bar located across from the Row hotel, questioned how businesses could function under these circumstances.
Despite these concerns, the city continues to sign contracts with properties to accommodate the influx of migrants. In September, the city extended its contract with the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) for three years and $1.3 billion. In January, New York City signed a $76.69 million deal with HANYC to provide a last-resort shelter for migrants at 15 hotels in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx through July.
Ken Girardin, research director at the watchdog Empire Center for Public Policy, stated that the migrant crisis is a burden on state and local finances, with housing being the most significant expense for taxpayers.
Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola criticized the situation, arguing that the hotels were built for tourism, not to shelter the large numbers of people crossing the border daily. She stated that these locations were intended to boost the city’s economy but have instead become a net drain and are costing the city significantly.
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Source: foxnews.com