Global Cities Respond to Migrant Homelessness: Immediate and Long-Term Considerations

This paper first appeared on Bloomberg Associates. MMC engages in content partnerships with several organizations, and cross-posting does not indicate an endorsement or agreement.

In the period leading up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo brought attention to a series of human rights issues which, in the spirit of the Olympic games, should animate our understanding of the humanity we share as members of a global community. She invited Bloomberg Associates to convene a group of experts to advise a discussion among mayors on the challenge of homelessness experienced by migrant newcomers to cities.

This paper examines the critical role cities must play in meeting these unplanned increases in migration that are most often outside international treaties or control. They are often driven by crises like war, natural disasters, or political instability. While planned migration through formal channels, such as work or study visas, can be absorbed over time, unplanned migration poses significant challenges globally. National leaders debate issues like border controls and enforcement. Meanwhile, city leaders face the reality of human need in their communities. These surges can overwhelm local infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and social services, requiring swift, coordinated responses from mayors and city governments. This document highlights how local governments can rise to the challenge, especially when national-level support is delayed or insufficient. Mayors find themselves responsible for managing the immediate humanitarian needs of new arrivals, including food, shelter, and medical care. As such, they must adopt both immediate and long-term strategies to ensure that cities can remain resilient and continue to function efficiently.

This paper provides several key recommendations for mayors to effectively manage homelessness related to migration, including:

• Planning for Long-Term Urban Resilience: The strongest recommendation is to be ready well in advance by developing long-term strategies that incorporate migration into urban planning. This includes creating a welcoming city philosophy and investing in social services that can support a more diverse population over time. Forward-looking policies can help cities transform migration into a driver of economic growth and innovation.
• Coordination with National and International Organizations: Effective responses require close collaboration with national governments and international agencies. By aligning with these bodies, cities can access additional funding, expertise, and resources necessary to support the arrival of new residents.
• Fostering Social Cohesion and Reducing Tensions: Cities must be proactive in building bridges between newcomers and existing residents to prevent conflicts over resources. Mayors should implement community engagement programs, promote cultural exchanges, and ensure that policies are inclusive to avoid deepening divisions within the local population.
• Strengthening Local Infrastructure: Mayors should focus on enhancing local infrastructure, particularly in housing, healthcare, and education systems, to absorb the increased population. This includes leveraging public-private partnerships and working with community experts to meet the extraordinary need through temporary shelters, service navigation, and rapid pathways to housing. This requires effectively maintaining connections to newcomers through confidential recordkeeping.
• Workforce Integration and Economic Participation: Cities with declining or aging populations can benefit from migration by integrating newcomers into the local workforce. Mayors can develop programs to help migrants quickly acquire language skills, navigate labor markets, and match them to job opportunities, particularly in sectors experiencing labor shortages.
• Utilizing Technology and Data: Mayors can enhance their city’s capacity to respond by leveraging data analytics and technology to track migration patterns, predict future needs, and allocate resources more effectively. This helps ensure that responses are targeted and scalable as the situation evolves.

This paper argues that while migration challenges are complex, they also present opportunities for cities to become more inclusive, dynamic, and resilient. Cities that adopt these strategies can not only manage demands presented by migration but also thrive by tapping into the economic and social contributions of new residents. Ultimately, the role of mayors as frontline responders makes them key actors in shaping how cities navigate the challenges of migration in a rapidly changing world.