Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the growing homeless encampment near the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan on July 13, 2026. The encampment extends approximately 12 blocks along 11th Avenue from 34th Street to 46th Street, according to reports. Local residents have raised concerns about the presence of tents, furniture, used needles, and suspected stolen goods, as well as issues related to open drug use and prostitution.
Mamdani stated that the city would investigate the situation further. He explained that under current city regulations, homeless encampments can only be cleared after the Department of Homeless Services conducts daily outreach for seven days following an initial notice. The outreach aims to build trust and connect individuals with necessary services, including medical care and housing support. By the seventh day after the notice, the encampment is expected to be cleared.
Mamdani emphasized the city's focus on connecting individuals to shelters and establishing a pathway to stable housing rather than simply relocating them. Reports indicate that the encampment has been expanding for weeks, with local workers observing an increase in its population. City records show that there have been 48 complaints related to homelessness in the area this year, with 30 of those complaints filed in the previous month.