The Adams administration’s approach to the influx of migrants occupying hotels in New York City shows a glimmer of common sense. However, the recent announcement of a 60-day limit for single adults in the city’s shelter system raises the question of where these individuals should go next. It is the responsibility of the city’s case workers to identify cities with high housing vacancies and low unemployment rates as potential destinations for these individuals. If necessary, following the example of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and providing bus tickets can benefit both the cities and the migrants.
New York City has long struggled with a shortage of available housing, largely due to misguided policies such as rent stabilization. In contrast, cities like Albany, Baltimore, Birmingham, Little Rock, and Charleston have higher percentages of vacant rental units. Additionally, all of these cities have low unemployment rates, with Little Rock having the lowest at just 2.3%. Albany, for example, has a vacancy rate of only 9.5% according to the Census Bureau.
Cities with high housing vacancy rates typically have lower rent costs. For instance, in Albany, a three-bedroom apartment can be found for $1,100, while in Birmingham and Detroit, the cost is $923 and $918, respectively. These prices are significantly lower than the exorbitant $3,500 being asked for a studio in Manhattan.
New York City’s status as a sanctuary city and its right-to-shelter laws have made it a magnet for migrants. However, cities like Detroit, where one in every five homes is vacant, are in desperate need of newcomers to help revitalize the city. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg recognized this in 2011 when he stated that immigration is the only solution for declining cities. While a federalist approach to immigration policy may not be feasible, some adjustments would need to be made to accommodate the migrants currently occupying hotels in New York City.
It is essential that migrants are permitted to work legally so they can contribute to Social Security and other vital programs. This does not require granting amnesty or a path to citizenship for those who entered the country illegally. Instead, temporary work visas and guest worker status can be implemented to alleviate pressure on New York City’s shelter system. Comprehensive immigration reform is not necessary to address the immediate crisis at hand.
The recent incident involving Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flying border-crossers to Martha’s Vineyard demonstrates the potential for migrants to contribute to unlikely locations. While some individuals moved on, others found jobs in landscaping, painting, and roofing and now reside in their own home on the island. Sharing living spaces and using e-bikes for transportation are practical ways for immigrants to make ends meet and increase housing affordability. Furthermore, some of the Martha’s Vineyard migrants relocated to other Massachusetts cities like Lowell and Brockton, which have struggled since losing major industries. Provincetown, a tourist destination, also provided job opportunities for these migrants in the restaurant and retail sectors.
It is no secret that there is a widespread need for workers in America, and that the nation requires a larger workforce to support entitlement programs for retired individuals. The chaotic situation at the southern border is not a viable solution to these problems, but nor can we assume that those currently in New York City will self-deport. While we work towards securing the border and prioritizing legal crossings, it is important to provide short-term accommodations for these individuals. Mayor Eric Adams deserves credit for recognizing that an indefinite shelter policy is not economically sustainable for a city facing budget constraints. However, the time limit should be viewed as an opportunity for these migrants to start a new chapter in a different location.
Howard Husock is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
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