Vacant office space, existing housing could house migrants

I applaud the partnership between Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams in their search for solutions to house the growing number of people seeking asylum in New

York. Like many New Yorkers or our ancestors, asylees have withstood harrowing circumstances at home and along their journeys to New York. Migration is a growing global crisis. It begs collaborative, creative and compassionate responses. Not partisan politicking. Everyone should be at the table, including the private sector.

There is an abundance of empty apartments and office space in New York City and perhaps elsewhere in our state that should be used for emergency and permanent affordable housing. Property owners and managers hoard vacant rent-stabilized apartments, waiting for higher rent or co-op conversion. Corporations and private investors hold on to luxury apartments they rarely occupy. Remote work has left a bounty of dark office space ready for mixed-use conversion, including mixed-income housing.

Developers, property owners and managers, corporations and affluent individuals must not only shape New York to grow their wealth. They must build long-term resilience for the city and the state. Empty space in the face of overcrowded shelters and homelessness is paradoxical and unacceptable. It does not make New York better, including for them. It’s time they give back. In the long run, they and we will all benefit. If investors don’t come to the table with plans to help, perhaps Hochul and Adams should consider an order of eminent domain.

Nancy Bermon