New York City's Homeless Services Commissioner Resigns Amid Frigid Temperatures and Job Uncertainty
In a move that comes amid weeks of job uncertainty, New York City's Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park tendered her resignation to the Mamdani administration on Monday morning. The appointment was made by former Mayor Eric Adams in 2023.
The city is grappling with an unprecedented number of homeless individuals, with frigid temperatures lingering over the region since last month. Eighteen people have lost their lives outside in the cold since January 24th, prompting questions about whether the administration did enough to get people indoors. Park confirmed that she was still determining when her last day would be.
Park stated that the limbo has been "really taxing" on the agency, herself, and her family. She believed that the Department of Social Services deserves a permanent leader, hence making this the right time for her resignation.
Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said the mayor appreciated Park's service to the city and looks forward to working with her during the transitional period.
Park oversees a wide portfolio of homeless shelters, street outreach services, cash assistance programs, and food aid. Her tenure has seen significant expansions in Safe Haven beds as an alternative for homeless individuals who have had negative experiences with traditional shelters. The department also helped move 1,200 people from these beds into permanent housing last year.
Park's administration expanded the city-funded rental assistance vouchers known as cityFHEPS, which is now one of the nation’s largest housing assistance programs. However, the Department of Social Services was criticized for its record-slow processing times for SNAP and cash assistance cases that delayed benefits for New Yorkers.
The department will be facing significant spending cuts from the Trump administration in federal funding, including to the SNAP program that helps 1.8 million New Yorkers afford groceries. Its street outreach services are also under increasing scrutiny as city council members and business leaders await word on how the nascent administration will tackle encampments, with over 4,500 New Yorkers currently sleeping on the streets.
The City Council is set to hold a hearing on the Mamdani administration's response to the artic temperatures today.
In a move that comes amid weeks of job uncertainty, New York City's Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park tendered her resignation to the Mamdani administration on Monday morning. The appointment was made by former Mayor Eric Adams in 2023.
The city is grappling with an unprecedented number of homeless individuals, with frigid temperatures lingering over the region since last month. Eighteen people have lost their lives outside in the cold since January 24th, prompting questions about whether the administration did enough to get people indoors. Park confirmed that she was still determining when her last day would be.
Park stated that the limbo has been "really taxing" on the agency, herself, and her family. She believed that the Department of Social Services deserves a permanent leader, hence making this the right time for her resignation.
Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said the mayor appreciated Park's service to the city and looks forward to working with her during the transitional period.
Park oversees a wide portfolio of homeless shelters, street outreach services, cash assistance programs, and food aid. Her tenure has seen significant expansions in Safe Haven beds as an alternative for homeless individuals who have had negative experiences with traditional shelters. The department also helped move 1,200 people from these beds into permanent housing last year.
Park's administration expanded the city-funded rental assistance vouchers known as cityFHEPS, which is now one of the nation’s largest housing assistance programs. However, the Department of Social Services was criticized for its record-slow processing times for SNAP and cash assistance cases that delayed benefits for New Yorkers.
The department will be facing significant spending cuts from the Trump administration in federal funding, including to the SNAP program that helps 1.8 million New Yorkers afford groceries. Its street outreach services are also under increasing scrutiny as city council members and business leaders await word on how the nascent administration will tackle encampments, with over 4,500 New Yorkers currently sleeping on the streets.
The City Council is set to hold a hearing on the Mamdani administration's response to the artic temperatures today.
. And to make matters worse, she's leaving amidst all this job uncertainty, so I hope the city can get a new leader on board ASAP! Fingers crossed they'll prioritize those Safe Haven beds and rent assistance programs - it's been a game-changer for people struggling to get back on their feet 
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The city needs someone who's gonna be there for the long haul, you feel? I don't get why she's gotta go just yet, I think more of a plan would help. Maybe they should've given her some kinda support team or something... I know the mayor is trying to work with her and all, but still... 18 people dying outside because of the cold? That's, like, unacceptable 
. Like, didn't she know her role was to deal with these issues?! It's not like it's a surprise that people are freezing outside in NYC - we're talking about one of the richest cities in the world here! The admin is all "oh no, we need a permanent leader" but what they really need is some actual solutions to address homelessness 
. And don't even get me started on the Trump admin's federal funding cuts - that's just gonna make things worse for people who are already struggling 
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. I guess we'll have to wait and see how the City Council responds to this hearing today... hoping they can get some real answers 
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It's not like they're getting paid enough or something... it's about doing their actual job. 
. More New Yorkers are going to struggle to afford basic necessities, it's just not fair. And what about those 4,500 people sleeping on the streets? The City Council hearing today better have some concrete plans to address this issue 
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. it's like we're expecting our homeless services commissioner to single-handedly solve homelessness overnight? not possible 
. and now she's resigning because of the uncertainty? I hope someone takes a hard look at why this guy can't get anything done 
. the city needs a permanent leader, but it also needs actual solutions 
... not just people jumping ship when things get tough 
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. It seems like the department needs some serious restructuring, but is that gonna happen now? The cuts to federal funding are huge, and with all these spending issues, it's hard to see how the department can just keep going as usual... Maybe this is an opportunity for change, but we'll have to wait and see if the new leadership can make a difference 
. I'm all for a change in leadership, but can't we have someone who knows what they're doing right now?! It feels like we're playing with people's lives over here. 
. The stats are just crazy - over 4,500 people sleeping on the streets? It's a number that just blows my mind 
. The City Council needs to hold the Mamdani admin accountable for addressing this crisis.
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. I wish Park had a better chance to implement her plans for Safe Haven beds before leaving 
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. I mean, 18 people losing their lives outside is just heartbreaking. Park is saying she needs more stability so that the department can function properly, but it feels like they're getting stuck in limbo anyway 
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. But at the same time, they need to tackle those processing times for SNAP and cash assistance cases ASAP 
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. They're gonna grill the administration on their response to the temps, which I guess is due. But what about the people who are still out there freezing on the streets? That's what we should be focusing on 