NEW YORK - Asylum seekers housed in several of the city’s “respite centers” have not been able to properly wash themselves for days because there are no showers at the newly-opened sites, according to people who’ve stayed there and migrant advocates.
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration started using respite centers last week to house migrants as the city’s traditional shelter and emergency hotel systems remain overcrowded. There are currently at least four operational sites, and Adams’ office has described them as “waiting rooms” where migrants should only stay for short periods while the city finds more suitable digs for them.
But several migrants housed at one of the sites, a vacant office building on W. 31st St. in Manhattan, told the Daily News on Tuesday they’ve been there for nearly a week, sleeping on narrow cots.
