Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is changing how New York City handles 311 complaints about homeless encampments, directing the NYPD to refer such reports to the Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services rather than responding directly.

Under the new directive, NYPD officers who come across an encampment are instructed to report it through 311. DHS outreach teams will then assess the location and attempt to connect people staying there with shelter and other services.

The policy expands Mamdani’s existing approach, which gives outreach workers time to engage with people at encampments before any cleanup or removal takes place. Police can still participate in authorized encampment sweeps.

The NYPD will continue responding to 911 calls involving crimes, traffic issues and immediate public-safety concerns.

The change comes as homeless encampments have appeared in several locations around the city, including near the Intrepid Museum, beneath the FDR Drive and in Greenwich Village. A large encampment was also recently reported across from an NYU dorm.