Mayor Mamdani is tapping a Pennsylvania administrator to lead his Department of Social Services, he announced Wednesday.
Erin Dalton, who previously led the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in Pittsburgh, will start in her role as commissioner Monday.
Mamdani’s Department of Social Services has come under scrutiny after at least 19 New Yorkers died on the streets in the recent cold snap, 15 of them from hypothermia — the majority of whom had some contact with the city’s Department of Homeless Services over the course of their lives, according to the city. The mayor subsequently announced bringing back homeless encampments sweeps, in a reversal of his previous anti-sweep stance.
The Social Services Department oversees the Homeless Services Department and the Human Resources Administration.
“Dalton has spent decades proving that government can and must work better for people who rely on it most,” Mamdani said in a statement. “She has expanded access to housing, strengthened social services and protected our most vulnerable neighbors. I’m proud to work alongside Commissioner Dalton to build a city that is more just, effective and accessible for all.”
In her previous role, Dalton worked to drive down street homelessness by increasing outreach to those living in tents and encampments outdoors. Mamdani has said he intends to use similar tactics in his approach to encampments in New York.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of New York City and to advance Mayor Mamdani’s affordability and community safety agenda,” Dalton said in a statement.
Dalton previously faced criticism for implementing an artificial intelligence child welfare algorithm that disproportionately flagged Black children for followup investigations, according to The Associated Press.
It was not mentioned in the mayor’s announcement.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, in a statement, praised both Dalton and her “data-driven” approach to social services.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done together to house our neighbors, support people with substance use disorder, and reimagine public safety and mental health response,” Innamorato said. “I know she will serve the New York City community well.”
Dalton succeeds Molly Wasow Park as social services commissioner. Wasow Park put in her resignation after being informed she would not be staying on under Mamdani, the Daily News previously reported.
