Elon Musk took back $80M from NYC. Here’s what else it could’ve bought.

The federal government recently clawed back $80 million in unused funds from New York City that was part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter and Services Program. New York City said it planned to sue to get the money back. While $80 million may not be much money for Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, it can buy a lot in New York. With that $80 million, it could’ve been spent many different ways. Here’s how much the money would’ve bought in a variety of areas.

Migrant services

7.79 days: Total city spending on migrants, during fiscal year 2024

112 days: Provide food to asylum-seekers in shelters, during fiscal year 2024

235 days: Run the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center migrant shelter

389 days: Provide medical care to asylum-seekers, during fiscal year 2024

5,578 families: Provide cash assistance to families of four for a year under the city’s pilot program, which ended in November

Government costs

1,198 teachers: Pay the base salaries for entry-level New York City public school teachers for one year, as of Jan. 18

84%: Cover this proportion of the costs for the Fair Fares discount transit fare program, in fiscal year 2024

6.9 hours: Cover the state’s Medicaid costs, during fiscal year 2024

457,142 families: At an average of $175, the number of additional families who could’ve receive Home Energy Assistance Program assistance for their heating bills, in fiscal year 2024

Splurge items

75.8 years: After his raise, SUNY Chancellor John King now makes over $1 million per year, which would still allow him to be hired for a long time with this money.

320,000 hours: Alex Spiro is only charging New York City Mayor Eric Adams $250 an hour for his services, so the mayor could employ his high-powered attorney for the next 36 years.

16,494 memberships: Adams could treat this many city employees to a spot at Zero Bond, which costs $1,000 for an initiation fee and $3,850 per year for 28- to 45-year-olds.