By Gus Saltonstall
A former illegal hotel on the Upper West Side reopened Monday as permanent supportive housing for 68 formerly homeless tenants.
The building at 235 West 107th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam, is a single-room-occupancy property that was most recently operated as an illegal transient hotel called The Morningside Inn. The hotel was closed in 2021.
The address was then purchased by Rockabill Development and the nonprofit Goddard Riverside, which subsequently completed a $38 million renovation of the UWS building.
The building will now be known as the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Residence, in honor of Stephan Russo, who worked at Goddard Riverside from 1976 to 2017, including two decades as its executive director.
“Goddard Riverside believes every person deserves the chance to reach their full potential,” said Goddard Riverside President Roderick L. Jones, in a news release. “Having a home—not just a roof over your head or a temporary shelter, but a permanent home with your own key—helps make that possible.”
The new residence offers permanent, supportive, affordable housing with onsite services to help the 68 formerly homeless tenants. The tenants pay a third of their income toward rent and hold keys and leases.
Additionally, the six-story building has two communal kitchens, dining areas, community rooms, case management, and other social services, and an outdoor courtyard area. The renovation reduced the building’s total number of units from 84 to 68, each one with a private bathroom.
The hotel was previously deemed illegal by the city because the property is zoned for permanent residential use, and the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement had issued more than $280,000 in fines to the building for operating as a hotel starting in 2012.
You can learn more about Goddard Riverside — HERE.
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Goddard makes millions off of city and state subsidies and grants.
Will,
Is Goddard Riverside a for profit enterprise?
I have plenty of problems with the social service industrial complex in NYC way overpaying “top” executives, but all are not profit. If you have a specific accusation about Goddard making money or getting kick backs from contractors, then make it.
Goddard Riverside is a highly regarded not for profit social service agency providing direct aid and permanent housing to thousands of New Yorker.s There are many for profit private equity real investment companies, including one in my Manhattan Valley neighborhood, who make millions based on a building model of buying distressed properties and leasing them back to the city as transitional shelters. This is not what Goddard Riverside does. Do a little research before you start hurling accusations.
I hope you meant to reply the Will.
The truth@
Goddard Riverside is a nonprofit organization.
And they provide a service for those millions. What’s your point?
I think the point is the service is way overpriced.
Like anything in the city is reasonably priced? At least they are helping people in need.
That is up for debate.
Everything is up for debate when people make up their own facts, their own science and their own reality.
Correct. They collect millions from the city per year per resident infinitum.
$38MM. Really think about that. What an insane abuse of power and money. And why would it be located in on the most expensive places in the world instead of 5-15 miles from here for 1/3 the cost?
So the hotel should be relocated? To save money and become a potential issue in someone else’s backyard?
Actually, I would take this hotel in 2 seconds over OnPoint, the place in my neighborhood that lets drug addicts shoot up illegal drugs onsite and leave used needles littered all over the neighborhood.
the point is we, the taxpayers, pay more for housing in the UWS than if it was at 150 th street.
Why don’t you move out of the city if you’re so concerned about the cost
Everyone who is paying taxes is concerned about the costs that are imposed on us. There should be accountability for the taxpayers money spent.
And transport over those 5-15 miles?
Visit the projects that ring Paris for an example of why your idea ain’t good.
Hotels have to meet high fire safety standards; that’s a lot of the cost. It’s not just redoing bathrooms and painting the halls.
well, the projects at least keep central Paris nice.
Ummm, because they are located here and this is the neighborhood they’ve been serving since 1959?
Also, FYI, Goddard Riverside is a nonprofit organization.
Goddard has also reopened the shelter at 316 W. 95th Street (formerly Freedom House). On the plus side they have spruced up the building considerably and the courtyard is much cleaner then when it was Freedom House. However, there’s noise in the courtyard late at night from some residents who hang out and smoke there.
There is one resident who comes out into the courtyard all by himself at all kinds of hours (including at 6:00 a.m.) to scream and occasionally to sing at the top of his lungs. I really wish that courtyard was not open for use overnight– as more residents come into the building. I am very apprehensive that those of us facing that courtyard will get any sleep.
You live in Manhattan. It’s noisy. If you need a place that is silent all night long, that’s what the suburbs offer.
this is not an answer. obviously if something wasn’t a noise problem before, but is now, it’s not something that has to be tolerated as normal city noise. having a lunatic screaming in a courtyard is NOT a must-have in dense cities.
it’s not normal. this is always made apparent to me when I go to big cities in Europe
I’m wondering how much you would enjoy having people shouting in the courtyard outside your window every night. My guess is you don’t have that. This is a lot worse than street noise, which you count on living in the city.. Yes, I expect noise. But by and large people in the city don’t use their residential courtyards to have screaming fights every night at 4:00 a.m.– maybe as the occasional one-off event. But not every night. If one of the tenants in my building did that they’d be evicted What is unreasonable about Goddard closing the courtyard between midnight and 8:00 a.m. so neighbors can sleep?
Agreed. Have you tried speaking with them about it?
Yes, I sent them a politely email requesting that they consider closing the courtyard overnight. (Please note that I am not objecting to the existence of the shelter, nor to there being an outdoor area for the residents to hang out — sometimes people are noisy out there in the daytime, but I can deal with that.) Goddard never answered me. I am thinking of following up with a phone call or perhaps a letter by snail mail, out and perhaps will try to encourage some of my neighbors who also face the courtyard to reach out with this request. I’ve hesitated to do that until now because I know some of them are going to have a broader objection to the shelter when they know it’s there– I suspect many don’t yet know it’s a shelter since it’s relatively new. (I don’t object to the shelter — I would just like to be able to sleep uninterrupted at night!)
I recommend phoning the Goddard Riverside headquarters, politely asking to speak with an executive, and politely explaining the situation.
There is also a shelter at 94th between West End and Riverside. It seems fine but it’s definitely lowered
Come to a community precinct meeting and you will hear how “well” things are going at the 94th and West End shelter. And to have 6 shelters in a 4 block area is INSANE. 3 on 97th, 2 right now on 95th and the 94th.
There is no accountability at these shelters yet Dept of Homeless services puts them in anywhere they want and Gale Brewer puts out the welcome mat. If there were no disturbances or safety issues it would be fine, but come to a precinct community meeting and hear how the neighbors are faring.
Definitely lowered what?
“ “Goddard Riverside believes every person deserves the chance to reach their full potential,” said Goddard Riverside President Roderick L. Jones, in a news release. “Having a home—not just a roof over your head or a temporary shelter, but a permanent home with your own key—helps make that possible”
Agree with the above completely but why should it be in the most expensive places? Makes no sense whatsoever. The industry exploiting homelessness and making crazy $$ off it should be investigated.
Low income housing should be opened up in every neighborhood in the city. And the rich folks in places like the UWS should not have the right to refuse to take their share of shelters, supportive housing, low income housing, and so on. Being a NIMBY is Not Okay.
We have more than our share of shelters in the West ’90s, The upper East Side on the other hand…
Where would you prefer they have it? I the lower income neighborhoods? Why continue to flood those communities with shelters and have those residents live in areas that are not giving incentive to live better? Maybe there is a reason deeper as to why they rather have that building in this neighborhood rather than a lower income one. Instead of trying to find the negative, why not look to the positive.
So homeless and poor people can only live in slums? Not expensive neighborhoods—- only the rich? How judgemental you are
Yes, precisely. Poor people should live where they can afford the most, i.e., NOT in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the world. Not where even the milk at the corner bodega costs 2-3x more.
And policies should strive to minimize the burden on the taxpayer for the support poor and homeless people, NOT maximize it.
By all means, teach us your version of economics and public policy.
100%. I can barely afford things in our neighborhood so putting people in a location where every store is out of their budget makes sense? Does that make them feel good about themselves, that they can survive? RIDICULOUS. No one is entitled to live in any place. You work for it and live where you can afford and if help is needed, let’s help but make it where they can afford to get on their feet and go into a store to afford food, clothing and anything else.
I won’t teach you economics Peter but I would like to teach you about humanity
Humanity is not about robbing Peter to pay Paul! What is humane about forcing one human being to work to support another who refuses to?
I’m sorry, but if that is what you think is happening you are woefully misinformed and woefully mistaken about humanity. Believe it or not, not everybody makes it in life, and all of those who don’t make it are not always lazy slackers.
Public policy is not only about doing what is most cost effective. It also aims to do what is fair. Allowing rich people to refuse to accept people who are not like them or people who need support to survive here is not fair.
And yes, I am an economist and have worked on public policy issues my entire career. Cost effectiveness is important but it’s not the only thing that is important.
So you would rather provide housing for ten people in a wealthy area and leave forty homeless than to provide housing for fifty people in a cheaper area?
Great. What is “fair” about housing 68 people here – and forgoing the ability to house 136 across the river, or 272 farther upstate? How do those extra people, still homeless, feel about that fairness?
“Allowing rich people to refuse…” is not even on the table, it’s a red herring. Noone asked anyone “rich” in that neighborhood for input. Cost effectiveness is everything.
How did you define “fair” thru your career? Because I don’t remember being asked at any point in my life, nor an any ballot (neither as a poor person, nor now, for the sake of argument, as a richer person) what I consider “fair.”
They are also importing criminals to an area with wealthy victims.
Goddard Riverside is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Upper West Side since 1959. It’s headquartered at 593 Columbus and the vast majority of the some 50 locations from which Goddard Riverside provides a wide range of services are on the Upper West Side.
But hey, since you’re appalled, maybe they’ll move?
I’ll just say what everybody below 100th St. is thinking but too ashamed to admit: Thank God it’s up on 107th!
The city is paying $38M to house 68 homeless people.
The developer Rockabill and the “nonprofit” Goddard Riverside is making a fortune off this.
This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayer resources.
558,823.53 per resident
I could live on that in a luxury building and eat like a King.
WSR might want to do an article on basic accounting. When they spend 68 on a building rehab they get more than one year of use out of that. All these blood pressure spikes could be avoided with just a little understanding.
Thank you for your sensible comment.
Eh, kind of fails the sniff test. Look at the Goddard 990. In 2023 they actually lost 4 million. If you want a nit to pick $450k in comp and benefits for a ceo overseeing 30 million might be something to look at.
Have you audited the renovation ? The care and treatment provision plans? How much do you think they should cost? Do you have evidence anyone from GR is lavishly overpaid? Do you understand what is involved in supportive housing? It sounds boring and expensive – safe homes, service provision, ongoing supervision and coordination of treatment, all the hours and detail of case management – but how much more expensive are endless ER visits, over weeks and months and years, police interactions or jail, because the hospitals sure aren’t providing beds – and all the other costs and risks of lack of housing for needy and vulnerable people? Who is paying those costs? These are people – mostly “dependent adults” who do actually do better if their lives are more manageable- as do we all. If you want to live in a safe, humane city, you can’t just ship the poorest and least stable residents out somehow. I hope Goddard Riverside does well with this facility.
Wrong. They paid $38M to gut renovate an illegal hotel to turn it into transitional housing that will provide support to 1000s of people in the decade to come
The numbers are outrageous.
It is not about the homeless, it is all about making as much money as possible exploiting the needs of the most vulnerable.
How much do you think it costs to do a full reno of an apartment building and provide all the supportive services the residents need? What’s your evidence that they are spending more on this than it should cost? They are a non-profit organization, who do you think is making all that money?
Would you rather all their residents were sleeping on the street outside your building? Supportive housing is exactly what is needed to help people move off the streets, which I’m sure we all want, even all the people commenting here who don’t think poor people should all be moved to some other neighborhood. And of course it costs more than regular housing, most of us don’t get a whole range of supportive services when we rent an apartment, we just get a place to live.
Got evidence that Goddard Riverside is making money off the deal?
Also this WSR doesn’t say anything about where the funds came from.
That’s just the renovation. A cool $559,000 per person. The annual running costs (for the “services”) are entirely separate.
How much more would it take to have those 68 people on the street? Police/DSNY/FDNY EMT services.
Think about it
Goddard Riverside is a nonprofit organization.
The tax returns for Riverside Goddard (Form 990) are public information.
In 2023 their Executive Director earned about $430K. The rest of their numerous officers also had big salaries.
So while RG is “nonprofit” their employees earn very generous salaries.
Homelessness is big business in NYC.
$430K for the ED of a large organization in NYC doesn’t seem out of line, Sure, it’s more than someone makes in McDonald’s, but you’re not looking at anything remotely comparable to what private sectors CEOs get.
It’s always interesting to me how people interpret information, especially if they aren’t actual experts on a matter but have a pat political opinion about it.
Goddard Riverside has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (the highest rating) with a reported “100%” score in their Accountability & Finance category.; publishes its financial statements and emphasizes transparency; has a long history (roots back to 19th century settlement houses); and serves a broad community in New York City, offering programs for children, older adults, homelessness outreach, etc.
In 2024, Goddard Riverside’s annual budget was ~$50 million. According to Chat GPT, for nonprofit organizations whose annual expenses exceed $50 million, median CEO compensation (across all missions) is reported around $559,770 for men and $430,640 for women.
None of this would be possible if not for President Trump. Thank you Mr. President.
Can’t wait for the troops to march in, can you?
We could use the troops as the angry Westside Karens are out of control! 🙂
What can be done to launch an investigation here?? This is taxpayer money! $38MM?! That’s not even including the cost to RUN IT, just construction!
Good grief, what do you think it costs to reno an apartment building? We’re not talking about fixing the roof on a garage in the suburbs or something!
And in case you hadn’t noticed (try getting the facade work done on your building!), construction costs have increased dramatically do to increase in insurance costs, and work has slowed down dramatically because Trump’s deportations make it very difficult for contractor’s to get workers. The resulting delays will further add to construction costs.
How do you know it’s taxpayer money? The article doesn’t provide a source for the funds.
According to their most recent tax return 76% of their revenue comes from the government.
GREAT news.
Another win for the Homeless/mental health industrial complex. How many decades will it take before someone recognizes that these programs do not work and cost way too much. These programs never off the amount of support the clients need and the rest of us suffer for it.
So what do you want to do with them? Warehousing in institutions or prison, or just let them starve and freeze in the streets? Eugenics, much?
It’s not an illegal hotel it’s just undocumented.
NIMBYs in the comments never disappoint LOL
500K per unit, insane
Gotta account for roof, elevators, lots of plumbing, asbestos removal, heating system, perhaps even central air.
Does anyone know when the women’s shelter at 160 West 74th will open? There seems to be some activity there, but no news. Thank you.
This is exactly the kind of intervention and support this city so desperately needs. 68 souls off the streets and given a chance to turn around their lives. Our city and our citizens need so much more of this kind of humane, compassionate and positive action.
SRO’s are not housing! Stop celebrating them! The people who live in them are the homeless housed.
I was given an appointment for an interview for that “housing”, despite the fact that I was approved for level one independent housing which is not what that is! I require my own kitchen, with cabinets to store food.
I don’t plan on going to soup kitchens the rest of my life!
just what the area needs,