By Daniel Katzive
What ever happened to the “safe haven” for homeless men and women that was scheduled to open in late April on West 83rd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues?
Update: Tuesday, August 1, 8 a.m.: Unsheltered homeless people will begin moving into the Safe Haven on West 83rd Street as soon as today, August 1, according to Councilmember Gale Brewer, who told the Rag she learned this from Breaking Ground, the service provider for the facility, and the New York City Department of Social Services. The move in will be gradual as outreach workers identify candidates and admit them, Brewer was told, so initial occupancy could be as low as just seven of the total 108 beds. Brewer also said she expects the Community Advisory Board for the facility, composed of area residents, school administrators, representatives from the Department of Homeless Services, Breaking Ground, and Community Board 7, as well as local elected officials, to be formed and begin meeting “very soon.”
Original: When Community Board 7 voted to support the facility in early May, after an extended period of debate and shows of support and opposition by the community, they seemed to be practically endorsing a fait accompli. In fact, as the resolution was debated it seemed possible that the facility, slated to house 108 people, would be open before a vote could even be taken. But nearly three months later, it seems no rooms are yet occupied. What gives?
Visits to the site in recent weeks have seen plenty of evidence of activity, with tradesmen, security guards, and staffers wearing Breaking Ground t-shirts all in evidence. But there does not appear to be anyone living there, and the building is quiet after business hours. Neighborhood residents agree that no one seems to have moved in yet.
A spokesman for Breaking Ground, the nonprofit that will operate the facility for the city, told West Side Rag, “Breaking Ground is fully ready to operate the building once they are cleared to accept referrals from [the city’s] Department of Homeless Services (DHS).” The spokesman referred further inquiries to the department.
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, which oversees DHS, told WSR that the opening has been delayed by routine “logistical issues” and the facility “is not open yet but will be coming online very soon.”
Elected officials and CB7 members contacted by WSR said they do not have additional information on when the facility might open, nor do nearby residents.
Meanwhile, the neighborhood residents who came together to oppose the opening of the facility appear to have moved on to working with the building manager, who represents the owner, to negotiate what they call “safety provisions.” Maria Danzilo, a former City Council candidate who was involved in opposing the opening of the safe haven, shared a letter with WSR which she has shared with involved neighborhood residents explaining the provisions. Measures Danzilo has requested include suggested curfews for the outside areas used by the building’s residents, smoking and loitering restrictions, and sanitation, screening and security rules, among others. According to Danzilo, the building manager says Breaking Ground has agreed to most of the provisions but has not committed to the curfew and screening requirements.
WSR will update this article when we learn more about the timeline for opening the facility.
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The democrats are truly unbelievable. Homeless living in the most expensive real estate in the country. Can’t make this up. Homeless people must live on the upper west side apparently.
They can’t afford anything here, they will never be able to put down roots here, they will be full of resentment for those who can. Who benefits from this insanity, other than the hotel owners?
I know. I still don’t know what is the best solution regarding those who are already here. What do you suggest?
My guess is that we need to basically replicate a community, complete with work, commerce, food, etc., for homeless people, preferably in a rural setting, with government monitoring and planning. Give them every chance to get back on their feet WITHIN that community first and make sure the community is safe (put people in jail who commit crimes) and well-run by talented and committed people. Christ, just look at what Elon Musk has accomplished and its not because he is so smart. The secret to his success has only been to do things RIGHT. Focus, focus, focus.
Perhaps our mayor might consider stepping up and meeting with the President on a viable solution, not merely crying “no room at the inn” or demanding more funds. Given the daily influx of migrants, merely busing them, at their request, to the city of their choice, has created this unsustainable, impossible situation. This is a 50-state problem – not clustering the 6-10 million (and counting )to the border states and a few isolated hotspots in the country. Unless the border policy is changed and dealt with, this will continue to grow exponentially and get worse over the next 2 years. We all have the power at the ballot box to make our voices known.
If you build it they will come. Being homeless may not be so awful in a place like UWS as compared to boring places that offer less services. Have you ever noticed that despite the volume and array of services, many claim it is still not enough? What is enough to live for free with no responsibilities? And the opportunity for a free front row seat at the Greatest Show on Earth?
The man who has been “living” on Broadway and 84th-85th for decades did grow up in the neighborhood and certainly should be prioritized here.
Otherwise, many others are transient and quite a few from out of NYC.
(Some gravitate to the area because of local food kitchens etc. )
Without local family support, it is unlikely that long-term stability is possible.
In the meantime there are countless low-income NYC families in doubled up, tripled up housing – this building should have been used for families with children
I just walked by him a few minutes ago. He was muttering about punching someone – I kept my distance and kept moving so did not hear too much. His pants were up so that was a victory for me. People think they are protecting his rights by letting him live like this. They are not – it is a lose/lose situation. He needs help, rather than to continue rotting away on the street, even if this is what he thinks he wants. He should be the first resident in this facility, though realistically, he likely needs more help than they can offer.
So Gale Brewer has an update and comments regarding more unstable homeless people moving in but absolutely no comments on the women being aggressively punched the last 2 weeks and the 2 attempted rapes in her district. I think that tells you what her priorities are and what we can expect more of.
Even when Gale Brewer does comment on something, it is not reliable. Here’s her about Stratford Arms Shelter from the earlier WSR article:
“ City Councilmember Gale Brewer thinks it may be the result of misinformation about who will be placed in the shelters, which Brewer and the city official said would mainly house migrant families.
“Families with children,” Brewer said, practically barking out her words in a phone call with the Rag. She had another meeting to attend. “Mothers and babies… responsible families, let’s put it that way.”
Misinformation ..mothers and babies…responsible families… Really?!!! Take a look who is housed there now, just walk around Broadway and the 70s a couple or times. It is mostly young males, some young females, and maybe 2-3 children. They are congregating on all corners of Broadway in large numbers with chairs and big coolers right on the sidewalk, smoking, playing loud music, parking their scooters (yes, some have scooters) on sidewalks. Broadway and the 70s corners are unrecognisable. You would think they would behave responsibly towards the locals since they are housed at our taxpayer’s buck, but no, instead they are pushing their disrespect on us, and we have to swallow it.
Will Gale Brewer correct her earlier statement about Stratford Arms demographics? I don’t hold my breath.
https://www.westsiderag.com/2023/04/12/city-officials-release-information-about-migrant-shelters
And yet people keep voting for Gale Brewer! Maria Danzilo had some wonderful, common sense ideas but did not get very far. Politics is an uphill struggle, but voters need to mobilize and have their say.
Gale Brewer knows how to put on a charm, she’s also a legend that’s why.
“Congregating on all corners of Broadway in large numbers with chairs and big coolers right on the sidewalk, smoking, playing loud music, parking their scooters (yes, some have scooters) on sidewalks”
These sound like cultural differences, I for one have no problem with our neighbors enjoying the summer weather by playing music and enjoying cool drinks. Spike Lee made a whole movie out of this exact scenario in Brooklyn. I say, go outside and talk to your community, this was a common site on Amsterdam and Columbus avenues for decades.
Yes . There are cultural differences . I dislike people playing music on the street. This is common I Washington Heights and when I resided there I disliked it. But I was moving there and it was my job to adapt to the predominant culture.
Yes. Playing music on the streets was common for decades. It has NOT been common for awhile on the UWS though. And it seems like if you move somewhere it might be wise to adapt to the predominant culture.
Claire,
Yes residents in the neighborhood did sit by their buildings and socialize and play music. (BTW I grew up by one and my family never had the privilege of sleep)
But they were residents, socializing where they lived – not people who just appeared on 70th and Broadway.
If for example the AMDA students who were living (at the Stratford Arms (used as a dorm) previously were out on Broadway playing music/smoking/drinking there would be concerns too – and my guess is AMDA would have addressed.
No, it wasn’t a common sight for decades. Maybe in Washington Heights. I don’t want UWS become disorderly and dirty, I don’t want to see beach chairs, smoking, coolers and boom boxes a few feet away from residential bldgs entrances. It is not allowed even at most beaches, why on earth do you think it is normal next to Lincoln Center?
“Maybe in Washington Heights …… why on earth do you think boom boxes are normal next to Lincoln Center?”
I’m glad we’re getting to the root of what the real fear is. Let’s really talk about it.
Wow. Maybe it Is racism. Or maybe it is that in Washington Heights people do sit outside and listen to music on the streets while it happens less often on the UWS.
Do you think that the OP would be less bothered if the people doing this were American born white people or the OP would still be upset if Latino or Hispanic residents didn’t play loud music?
Sometimes there are huge cultural difference. Figuring out how to bridge that gap is hard.
It might not have occured to you Claire that people of all cultures and races enjoy clean streets and a civil environment. You were the one who brought culture into this in the first place and then you criticize someone for replying to your false premise.
Hi Claire, we are a group of neighbors who want to welcome folks to the Upper West Side, regardless of housing status and regardless of whether they’ve been here for 30 days or 30 years. We believe this neighborhood is for everyone, and everyone deserves shelter. If you’d like to get involved with supporting residents of the site, you can email us at info@openheartsinitiative.org!
Cultural differences? Did you even see what is going on? ! I’m passing by this area every day. It is public disturbance, not “enjoying the summer and cool drinks”. Loitering was illegal for a reason. There are 2 parks within blocks. Migrants should respect the host culture and be grateful at the very least.
The city needs to state that sidewalks in front of residential buildings and businesses are NOT public property. This city and state ALLOWS loitering on the sidewalks. It is not against the law because sidewalks are “public space” which is NOT true because we store owners and residential buildings have, to by law, clean up other people’s human excrement, garbage, snow, ice, etc or we can be fined. Yes, I have had to do it all. That is not public space then and we should be able to tell people hanging out in from of our homes and establishments to move on. That would solve your problems and elected officials need to hear this from everyone. Right now they’ll get away with this every single day.
Gentrifiers should respect the host culture of the neighborhood. The UWS was very multicultural for years, the charcuterie crowd is a recent addition to the area.
But but what about the migrants????
99 percent of the migrants Texas has shipped here, illegally usurping US immigration law, will have jobs and housing a few months after arrival.
Do you not understand the difference between immigrants (from wherever) and the homeless in NYC?
Lighten up, I think Chris was being sarcastic, but I could be mistaken. And by the way, it’s the Federal government not enforcing immigration law that is forcing TX (a state in favor of enforcement) to send people entering the US illegally to sanctuary state and cities.
No, the people the governor of Texas is bussing to NYC are in the country legally.
I thought the migrants weren’t eligible for jobs until n they had an asylum hearing and were granted asylum and that that process takes up to 6 months. Have I !misunderstood the situation?
Didn’t say legal jobs.
It is a lot longer than 6 months before they receive legal status.. Until then, they have no work authorization
Migrants are a federal problem, not just Texas’. NY declared itself a sanctuary city, no city in Texas declared the same. NYC is struggling and you think Texas wasn’t, even though they didn’t vouch for it?
Now that we are in chaos without the end in sight with the migrant crisis, let’s blame whoever created this crisis, which is not Texas.
“ Measures Danzilo has requested include suggested curfews for the outside areas used by the building’s residents, smoking and loitering restrictions, and sanitation, screening and security rules, among others. ”
Thank you, Maria! It is unacceptable that Breaking Ground didn’t commit to the curfew and the screening requirements.
Gale Brewer, where are you?
The model of safe haven would change and much research and studies have gone in to validate the claim that homeless will refuse the services of this class of shelter if things like curfews and screenings happen. Then nobody would choose these facilities and….the providers couldn’t justify their budgets. So, they need to build a shelter that works for the guests. It’s not about the neighbors.
Hmmm…that model includes 4 people to a room with no privacy.
I don’t think you need much research to figure out that homeless don’t like structure and discipline. That’s why they are homeless to start with. On the other hand they want security and safety that comes only with structure like curfew and screening. You can’t go by what they want. Most of them are sick and need medical help.
Homeless refuse unsafe shelters as well, the ones without screening and curfew.
It is all about the neighbors very much, you shouldn’t be able to make the entire neighborhood accept the demands of the hosted (guests) homeless who, in most cases, can’t make right decisions for themselves.
In the end, it is not about the homeless or the neighbors. It is a billion dollar industry that preys on compassion while making a big buck at the expense of both.