Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2025

New York City Department of Social Services Announces New Air Conditioning Requirements for Future Department of Homeless Services Shelter Facilities

Proposals for New Traditional Facilities will be Required to Include Plans for the Provision of Air Conditioning in Order to be Considered for DHS Contracts

New Requirement is Part of the Agency’s Efforts to Enhance City’s Shelter System, Prioritize the Health of Clients, and Improve the Services and Amenities Provided

NEW YORK— Department of Social Services Commissioner (DSS) Molly Wasow Park today announced an addendum to the Department of Homeless Services’ (DHS) Request for Proposals (RFP) for traditional shelter sites which will require air conditioning in all new shelter facilities. As DHS continues to open new, high-quality shelter facilities while ceasing operations in sites that no longer meet Agency standards, this reform will ensure that a larger proportion of city shelters have comprehensive cooling capabilities, an increasingly critical function as New York City summers continue to grow hotter and last longer. Furthermore, to support the advancement of New York City’s climate goals, additional consideration will be given to proposals with high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

"Today’s announcement is one way we are continuing to create spaces for people experiencing homelessness in a dignified, caring, and considerate manner," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave. "We will continue to design our spaces and services to be thoughtful and person-centered whether it is adding air conditioning, language access, or other ways to support New Yorkers in need."

“Whenever we open any new DHS facility, our goal is to provide clients with the services and supports they need to transition back to permanency and to do so in a space that is safe, dignified, and respectful,” said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “This new air conditioning requirement will help us ensure that we are not only delivering on these goals but reshaping the shelter system as a we bring more state-of-the-art facilities online to replace aging DHS infrastructure. We look forward continuing these efforts and exploring additional avenues to build a more compassionate and effective system to serve our neighbors in need.”

"DHS is deeply committed to raising the bar on the quality of care and support we offer New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, and reforms like this strengthen our ability to create welcoming, respectful shelter environments," said DHS Administrator Joslyn Carter. "More importantly, this change prioritizes the health and well-being of our clients - especially those most vulnerable to extreme heat - allowing them to feel more comfortable while they work to transition to stable, permanent housing.

Prior to this amendment, new sites proposed for shelters were not required to include air conditioning, though greater consideration was provided to those which included cooling capabilities. In mandating air conditioning in new sites, DHS looks to continue making meaningful upgrades to the shelter system which improve client experiences and enhance the Agency’s ability to serve especially vulnerable populations including older adults, young children, individuals with chronic health concerns, and people with disabilities. As the number of clients who are particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures increases, ensuring that appropriate placements are available is critical for keeping these individuals and families healthy.

The health and safety of clients is always DHS’ primary concern, and while the majority of existing shelter facilities have site-wide air conditioning or a cooling room, any client that requires air conditioning in their sleeping area due to a disability or medically related need can utilize the Agency’s reasonable accommodation process to obtain a placement that meets their needs. The new requirement will ensure that more such placements are available, not only for those with medical needs, but for all clients who deserve a safe, comfortable, and welcoming space to stay during a time of crisis.

DHS has been working to transform the city’s shelter system developed over decades, with many older sites continuing to provide critical capacity at a time when the shelter census remains near record highs. As DHS works to meaningfully transform the system, phasing out the use of these older, substandard sites and replacing them with new facilities, reforms like this are necessary to raise the bar and provide facilities that effectively addresses the needs of clients immediate and long-term needs.

This new requirement is the latest in DHS’ efforts to enhance the city’s shelter system through upgrades to infrastructure. The Agency continues to prioritize the development of new facilities which are designed, owned, operated and by not-for-profit shelter providers by offering bridge loans to cover predevelopment costs incurred prior to contract registration. This process produces high-quality facilities that are designed with the needs of clients in mind and ultimately more cost-effective for the city.

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About the New York City Department of Social Services: DSS, comprised of the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and the Human Resources Administration (HRA), serves millions of New Yorkers annually through a broad range of services that aim to address poverty and prevent homelessness. DHS oversees a broad network of shelters, re-housing solutions, and outreach programs designed to help New Yorkers experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. HRA serves over three million New Yorkers through the administration of more than 15 major public assistance programs. DSS is central to the City’s mission to expand opportunity for New Yorkers in need, address housing insecurity, and ensure that low-income New Yorkers receive the benefits and assistance for which they may be eligible