Mayor Mamdani Appoints New Social Services Commissioner Following Homeless Deaths
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced the appointment of Erin Dalton as the new commissioner of the Department of Social Services. This decision comes at a critical time, as the administration faces intense scrutiny over the city's handling of its unhoused population. The appointment follows the tragic deaths of at least twenty individuals who were found outdoors during an exceptionally cold winter period, highlighting the urgent need for effective homelessness interventions.
Background and Experience of the New Commissioner
Erin Dalton brings extensive experience from her previous role as director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in the Pittsburgh area. She served in that capacity for eighteen years, developing and implementing strategies to address homelessness through outreach and housing access. Dalton succeeds Molly Wasow Park, who was appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams in 2023 and resigned earlier this month.
In a news release, Mayor Mamdani praised Dalton's track record, stating, "Erin Dalton has spent decades proving that government can and must work better for people who rely on it most. She has expanded access to housing, strengthened social services and protected our most vulnerable neighbors." Dalton's approach in Allegheny County involved proactive outreach teams that worked directly with unhoused individuals to connect them with shelter and housing options.
Controversy and Criticism of Current Policies
The appointment occurs amid significant controversy surrounding Mayor Mamdani's homelessness policies. Advocates have criticized the mayor for reinstating sweeps of homeless encampments, a practice he initially paused on his fifth day in office. Additionally, the administration has faced backlash for deciding not to expand the CityFHEPS rental assistance program, despite campaign promises to do so.
David Giffen, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, expressed disappointment, saying, "I was very disappointed to see the mayor backpedaling on those promises. The sweeps do not do anything to address unsheltered homelessness in the city." However, Giffen acknowledged that the new policy, which tasks the Department of Homeless Services rather than the police with conducting sweeps, represents an improvement over previous approaches that criminalized homelessness.
Dalton's Previous Successes and Future Challenges
In an opinion piece for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in September 2025, Dalton highlighted her achievements in reducing homelessness in Allegheny County. She noted that the area had nearly 150 tents along its riverfronts and downtown at one point, but through consistent outreach efforts, this number was reduced to just a handful of temporary encampments. Dalton emphasized that this success was achieved by "walking alongside them, making sure people knew where shelter and housing was available, making sure they understood an encampment would be closing, and making sure no one was caught by surprise."
As Dalton steps into her new role in New York, she faces the monumental task of addressing mass homelessness in one of America's largest cities. Giffen stated that the coalition is "looking forward to working with the new commissioner" and expressed hope that the mayor will fulfill his promise to provide more permanent housing solutions.
The appointment of Erin Dalton marks a pivotal moment for New York City's social services, as the administration seeks to balance immediate interventions with long-term strategies to combat homelessness effectively.
