Forget about no-bid contracts, the homeless mega-shelter (400 adults) on West 95th street has no contract at all, and it hasn’t had one for more than two months! The city Department of Homeless Services simply hasn’t submitted a contract to the Comptroller’s Office, a spokesperson there tells us.
“Vendors who operate without a contract are at risk of not being paid,” wrote Stephanie Hoo at the Comptroller’s office. Will Aguila, the contractor for the shelter on West 95th, not get paid? That’s not clear at this point. Barbara Brancaccio, the director of communications at DHS, hasn’t responded to our request for comment.
Here is the contract that the DHS had originally planned to submit. It offers the operators $47 million over five years to run the shelter, with the option for DHS to keep it open for four more years. The city would pay about $3,700 per month for small units without kitchens or bathrooms.
The entire process, starting with a dark-of-night “emergency” decision to move residents into the shelter on a six-month contract last summer, has been carried out with minimal public disclosure and engagement, local residents and political figures say. Shelter opponents would appear to have the upper hand at the moment, as the contract needs to be approved by Comptroller John Liu, who is running for mayor and probably doesn’t want to anger thousands of Upper West Side residents.
The DHS may be hoping that everyone simply forgets about this issue, and accepts that the shelter is here to stay — once a new mayor is elected, things may be back to business-as-usual.
We’ve been hearing that the situation is still a mess between elected officials and the DHS, but are still awaiting word on the outcome of all of the drama over the past few months. Is the shelter here to stay, or could it be ousted?
Read all our coverage of the homeless shelters here.
Taxpayers should be outraged about this. Our tax dollars are being used (3k+ per tiny shared room per month)to fund an operation that is UNSANCTIONED by the city, how can the city allow our hard-earned money to be paid to dirty operators who have not as much as submitted a contract? UNBELIEVABLE. They are abusing the system and the citizens of NYC. I want my money back.
I hope mayoral race politics will work in our favor and result in the closure of this homeless shelter. Thanks to everyone who contacted John Liu’s office with their complaints.
Sorry I stand corrected $47 millon not $45….Insane!
Can We New Yorkers appeal the judge ruling that makes New York City alone in the United States obligated and legally bound to house and shelter every single person who demands it – whether they are from New York, Timbuktuu, New Jersey , anywhere…..This is arbitrary and capricous and simply unfair to the hard working over taxed New York City tax payer.
And probably unconstitutional – no doubt the ruling was by an extreme left wing judge with their own agenda –
Here here. I don’t understand how in the WORLD it makes any sense. Not to mention to also attracts homeless people from around the area/country to come to NYC where they are entitled to free housing. Maybe even a nice place in the UWS next to Riverside Park.
Borderline insane
there was a fire wed nite at freedom house 316 in the courtyard due to wooden debris, carpet and piled up trash. it was safety hazard. check w fdny for records. happened approx 10pm wed april 24th. someone should do a story on it
I am a client at freedom house so I know the fire was real. the media have not reported on it.
**HAS.
You can get three real apartments in the Bronx for $3700. This is a blatant misuse of tax dollars.
There’s so much corruption. I worked at 1 WTC on 911; and as a result of the terrorist attack I suffer from PTSD and other sleeping deprivation problems. On top of this; I’ve obtained Cervical Cord and Sciatic issues within the several years. Please call me @(347) 786-1319. My emails aren’t working right now; thanks to Verizon screwing my cell