When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the city housed the homeless in hotels to help stop the spread of the virus. Now, they’re getting the boot and they’re concerned about returning to group shelters. 

With the delta variant causing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, concern is growing as congregate shelters are holding between 30 to 50 people in a room. 

Homeless and formerly homeless New Yorkers are calling on the city to help them move from hotels to housing. 

Elected officials say Mayor Bill de Blasio has the power to help by implementing the Intro. 146 legislation, which was passed by the City Council. 

The legislation could make thousands of apartments accessible to shelter residents. 

The month of July has been declared Homeless Awareness Month, in order to raise awareness for the conditions homeless people are facing today. 

"We thank the Court for taking a thoughtful look at our efforts to return to shelter and for allowing that process to move forward, pending minor modifications," the city's Department of Homeless Services said in a statement to News 12. "Making the necessary adjustments, we are now resuming that process, beginning by providing seven days' written notice to all clients that moves will take place in the coming weeks, starting next week. As this effort resumes, we will continue to engage each client regarding their unique needs and remain committed to granting accommodations as requested, as we have in hundreds of cases already."

The department also noted that approximately 9,000 people are currently being served in temporary sites, and that it started notifying those that were first to be affected by the move back on June 17, providing them with advance notice of their move date. All temporary housing sites are expected to be phased out this summer.