City officials are said to have sent homeless families to 323 cities across the country, paying for one full year of rent as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s ‘Special One-Time Assistance Program’ (SOTA).

According to Department of Homeless Services data seen by the New York Post, taxpayers have spent $89 million on rent alone since the programme began back in August 2017, exporting 5,074 homeless families – which equates to 12,482 individuals – to places such as Newark and the South Pacific. Families who previously lived in city shelters have been moved to 32 different states, as well as Puerto Rico.

The publication reports the data didn’t disclose the cost of furnishings, however one recipient of the homeless export said she received $1,000 for them.