Activists and residents of the Upper West Side took to the streets to protest the mayor’s plans to open a new ‘safe haven’ type shelter for homeless people who prefer to live on the streets than reside in shelters traditional. The facilities are located on the same block where there are two schools.
“The shelter is too small for its intended use,” said community organizer Maria Danzilo, noting that its individual rooms should be reconfigured to create permanent homes.
“They can set up some emergency toilets so that people can live decently on this site and use the ‘shelters’ while they stop the immigrants who are arriving; take the people who are in the ‘shelters’ out and find them permanent housing,” Joseph added. Kleinplatz.
Administrators have said the facility on West 84th Street will be used as a different type of transitional housing, with supportive services for anyone regardless of gender.
The neighborhood group also wants to amend local “right to shelter” laws to ban shelters within 200 feet of schools and playgrounds in all five boroughs.
“We don’t want sexual predators, drug addicts or people injecting in front of a school park,” Charleton Dsouza said.
For its part, the Coalition for the Homeless noted: “For decades, housing rights laws have protected people from immeasurable harm, including long-term New Yorkers and newcomers to our city. These laws have served as a sound policy, ensuring the humane treatment of families in need.”
According to nonprofit organizations, the city’s shelter population is made up of more than 15,000 single men, more than 4,500 single women, and 35,000 adults or children in families.
2023-05-12 16:21:00
#Neighbors #Upper #West #Side #oppose #opening #shelter
