NEW YORK (PIX11) -- As Jilly joined dozens of other West African migrants out on the sidewalk, most of them are now set to become the newest members of New York City’s unsheltered homeless population – sleeping on the street and subways.
This comes after police shut down the privately operated – and technically illegal – migrant shelter they were living in, located inside Ebou Sarr’s furniture store in Richmond Hill, Queens.
Sarr translated Jilly’s Wolof – their native language.
"He didn't know America is like this. He's disappointed," Sarr's translation of Jilly said.
More than 70 migrants in all paid Sarr $300 a month for a bed.
"I had a plan that we can make this work. They're not helping us. We can put money together and get a building," said Sarr.
Sarr was housing migrants at a second store location in the Bronx, sources said. The city’s Department of Buildings and the FDNY were on the scene of Sarr’s Bronx shop on East Kingsbridge Road in the downtown area of Fordham Wednesday afternoon.
The uncovering of his homegrown operations is now raising questions about what happens to migrants after their 30- to 60-day city-sponsored shelter stay comes to an end.
"After your 30 days, they kick you out. Even if it's raining outside, you have to go out. They're treating them like animals," said Sarr.
Larry, who is homeless, said the result is a system that leaves him out in the cold.
"The shelters are packed. On a humanitarian level, I'm happy for them. But I'm over her man -- I suffer from chronic homelessness. It makes it harder and tougher for us," said Larry.
One Queens resident, who did not want to be identified, said he does not support Sarr’s methods.
"It's a lot of money -- helping someone, and you're getting $24,000 in return?" the man said.
But New York City Council member Alexa Avilés said now is not the time to demonize Sarr and other grassroots-led efforts to address a citywide shortage of shelter beds and affordable housing.
"Maybe in fact this is not the best thing, but let's figure out how to make this work," said Avilés.
In the meantime, Jilly, the Senegalese migrant, said he’s back to figuring out where he’s going to sleep.
"He thought when he came to this country he would have a good place to stay," Sarr's translation of Jilly said.
Jilly and the rest of the migrants have been informed they need to return to the reticketing center in Manhattan's East Village if they want another crack at a shelter bed. But as PIX11 News reported last month, that's a long wait with no guarantee of a bed for the night.
PIX11 News did witness at least one resident approach a group of migrant men and offer shelter in one of her empty properties. The new challenge for the city is going to be attempting to onboard private landlords and business owners who want to provide shelter to migrants.
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