NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF

ADAM J. BELLO
MONROE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

STATEMENT FROM MONROE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADAM BELLO

ROCHESTER, NY — Like many communities across our state and country, Monroe County is
facing a housing crisis, with an unprecedented shortage of emergency housing available to
support individuals experiencing homelessness. Monroe County’s Department of Human
Services works daily to address these shortfalls, but continues to face difficulties in identifying
adequate emergency housing and providing supportive services to those in need of such
housing. Recently, New York State declared a State Disaster Emergency as a result of an
expected surge of migrants seeking shelter, and we expect any surge locally will exacerbate our
housing shortages and put a strain on our support systems in place.
As County Executive, my first priority is to attend to the safety and wellbeing of everyone within
Monroe County. Other municipalities, whether inside or outside of New York State,
transporting busloads of migrant families to a hotel within our community without a plan in
place to support them, is not fair to our residents, and is not fair to the migrants who would be
housed here. Clear communication and coordination is essential if we are to navigate this
situation successfully, which is why I have had a continued dialogue with the Governor’s Office,
her Commissioners, as well as fellow County Executives across the state facing the same
challenges, including Albany County Executive Dan McCoy.
Today, County Executive McCoy and I are both issuing similar Executive Orders relating to the
housing and migrant crisis that is affecting every community. The order here prevents any
hotel, motel, shelter, or other multiple-dwelling unit from entering into a contract with any
municipality or entity to provide emergency shelter unless an Emergency Housing Plan is
submitted to the Monroe County Department of Human Services and receives approval. This
plan must demonstrate that arrangements have been made to ensure any individuals brought
to Monroe County will receive adequate housing and necessary support services, and have
their fundamental needs met for the duration of their stay.
Monroe County welcomes people from all over the world. This Emergency Order does not
prevent migrants from coming to Monroe County while they await resolution of their legal
asylum application. Rather, it ensures that if migrants need to be housed here, it is done so in a
thoughtful way with a reasonable plan in place to protect everyone involved.
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Media inquiries:
Gary Walker, Director of Communications Meaghan M. McDermott, Deputy Director
GaryWalker@MonroeCounty.gov of Communications
(585) 753-1064 MeaghanMcDermott@MonroeCounty.gov
(585) 469-4365