NYC Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park resigns after being informed she will not continue in her position.

Molly Wasow Park, the Commissioner of Social Services for New York City, has announced her resignation, effective immediately, as reported by Media News Source. Park’s decision follows revelations that she would not remain in her position under the new administration of Mayor Mamdani. Sources indicated that the administration has been actively scouting for new candidates to fill her role since January.

Park expressed that the uncertainty surrounding her position had become increasingly burdensome, impacting both her agency and her personal life. She emphasized the need for the Department of Social Services (DSS) to have a permanent leader to effectively address the pressing issues the department faces. Despite her resignation, she is expected to continue her duties at DSS until the end of the month, facilitating a smooth transition.

In a statement, spokesperson for the Mamdani administration, Dora Pekec, acknowledged Park’s years of committed service to the city. The administration is preparing to announce a new commissioner in the upcoming weeks as part of this transition.

Park was appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams in 2023 after a lengthy career spanning over two decades in various roles within New York City government. During her tenure, she oversaw the department’s vast responsibilities, including the management of the city’s homeless services, food aid, and cash assistance programs, amid ongoing challenges such as the asylum seeker crisis, dwindling housing vacancy rates, and a surge in applications for assistance programs like SNAP.

Under Park’s leadership, her administration achieved significant milestones, including the opening of additional shelter beds, helping approximately 1,200 individuals transition from shelters into permanent housing, and expanding the cityFHEPS rental assistance program to serve over 65,000 households. These efforts were particularly critical in light of the societal challenges facing the city.

The timing of Park’s resignation is notable, coinciding with a grim period during which the city has recorded 18 fatalities attributed to extremely cold weather conditions. The DSS has been actively involved in addressing the adverse effects of these temperatures, with the mayor noting that several of the deceased had previous interactions with the city’s homeless services.

In the wake of her resignation, Park is set to testify at an upcoming City Council meeting regarding the administration’s response to the current cold weather crisis, highlighting her ongoing commitment to the issues at hand during this transitional phase.