New York City officially launched its ninth humanitarian emergency response and relief center at the Roosevelt Hotel, supporting the influx of asylum seekers into our city. 

The hotel has been closed for three years but reopened Friday to host hundreds of migrants and families seeking asylum.  

Fanny, an Ecuadorian woman who left her home in December, will be temporarily calling the Roosevelt Hotel home. She says the long journey to get here will be worth it with all of the opportunities here for her. 

“It’s a different life than in my country,” said Fanny. “We came here to work, to get ahead for my family.” 

She is staying with her three kids and says that it is quite comfortable for all of them inside.  

The mayor’s office says this center will serve as a midpoint for migrants to access legal and medical aid as well as reconnection services and placement and shelter. A total of 175 rooms will open for children and families, and the hotel plans to expand that number to about 850 rooms in the near future.  

The number of asylum seekers is expected to rise during the post-Title 42 era, with Mayor Eric Adams renewing calls to the state and federal government for additional support.