Joslyn Carter, LCSW
Administrator, NYC Department of Homeless Services
Joslyn Carter, LCSW, originally from Antigua, migrated to the U.S. in the early 1980s with her mother and four sisters. Growing up in a Caribbean household with extended family instilled in her a strong sense of community and a passion for social work.
With over 20 years at the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Joslyn has risen through the ranks, becoming the agency’s head in 2017 under Mayor de Blasio and being reappointed in 2022 under Mayor Adams. She oversees the nation’s largest municipal shelter system, driving improvements through strategic initiatives and effective management.
Before DHS, Joslyn worked as a social worker at Kings County Hospital, Director of Social Services at the American Red Cross, and Director of Preventive Services at Talbot Services. She has also served as a Clinical Therapist and a mentor, supporting women, families, and young professionals.
A certified Student Field Instructor and member of the National Alliance to End Homelessness Leadership Council, Joslyn collaborates with organizations like the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on trauma-informed initiatives. Academically, she earned her undergraduate degree at Syracuse, an MSW at Hunter College, and completed a Clinical Social Work Fellowship at Yale. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at Stony Brook.
Joslyn lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Dwayne, their son, Jeremy, and their dog, Skylar.
