Travelers arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport, expecting the bustling gateway to New York City, are instead met with an unexpected sight: homeless encampments at the AirTrain station in Jamaica, Queens. The facility, which connects passengers to Manhattan via a budget-friendly transit option, is witnessing a growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness taking temporary residence.
The AirTrain, offering an $8.50 connection to the subway system, stands in sharp contrast to the roughly $100 taxi and ride-share alternatives. Observations and interviews at the station reveal dozens of people have made the terminal their temporary home. A Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) employee noted a steady rise in this number over recent years, attributing the trend to the city's insufficient safe shelter capacity.
The visibility of the homeless population is not limited to the winter months, despite the harsh weather conditions pushing more people indoors. On a mild January day, with temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the presence of these individuals inside and outside the compact facility was evident.
Irving Ruiz, a Queens resident and frequent traveler through JFK, remarked that the homeless presence has become a consistent feature of the terminal, particularly during the cold season and daytime hours when there's less security. "It's the first sight for tourists," Ruiz commented, suggesting that it tarnishes the city's image.
Aishik Deb, an Indian student at Stony Brook University, and Shannon Ferguson, a Brooklyn resident traveling to Australia, both expressed concerns and sympathy for those residing in the station. Ferguson highlighted the issue of shelters having strict rules and being potentially dangerous, which may deter individuals with significant personal belongings from seeking shelter there.
The situation at JFK's AirTrain station is a microcosm of New York City's broader challenge with homelessness. The city operates under a Right to Shelter mandate, legally requiring that safe accommodations be provided for anyone experiencing homelessness. However, shelters grapple with issues of overcrowding and criminal activity, pushing many individuals to seek refuge in public spaces.
Travelers hope that the city's newly installed mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will address the crisis. Mamdani has rescinded emergency orders that suspended certain shelter requirements and has issued an executive order for improving shelter health and safety standards within 45 days. The mayor's commitment to expanding homeless outreach and creating a department of community safety is a move that might bring change, although it's unclear if these efforts will directly affect the AirTrain station.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, overseeing JFK and the AirTrain system, acknowledged the challenge. They stated their coordination with the MTA and partners to maintain a welcoming environment but recognized that the conditions facing the unhoused, especially in winter, can lead to "suboptimal situations" at the station. The Port Authority's Police Department personnel are assigned around the clock to enforce rules and work with service providers to offer assistance.
In the broader context, the issue of homelessness in American cities like New York and Los Angeles remains a topic of concern and debate on social media, as highlighted by tweets from individuals shocked by the conditions they've witnessed.
