New York City is offering migrants taxpayer-funded payments of $4,000 through the Asylee Moveout Assistance (AMA) program to help them move out of city-operated shelters. According to a Fox News report, the program is designed to assist asylum seekers in securing permanent housing.
The AMA program, launched as a pilot in December 2023, has so far provided assistance to 150 migrants. In addition to the $4,000 payments, eligible migrants can receive up to $1,000 in gift cards to cover necessities and moving expenses. The funds are intended to help cover security deposits, first and last month’s rent, and other housing-related costs.
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services (DSS) explained that the city is working with not-for-profit providers and using existing federal funds to support recently arrived asylum seekers in taking the “next steps in their journey.” The goal of the program is to reduce barriers to housing for asylum-seeking families living in specific shelters operated by the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS).
“This is a very small pilot only available to asylum-seeking families in select emergency shelters,” the DSS spokesperson said, noting that no New York City funds are used for the program.
Since the spring of 2022, New York City has seen a significant influx of migrants, with more than 65,000 currently in the city’s care. The city has spent an estimated $4.6 billion on various projects to address the migrant crisis.
Migrants who qualify for the payments must either claim asylum or be pregnant women who have identified permanent housing. Those who return to shelters after receiving the assistance will not be eligible to receive it again.
