The thought of a men’s shelter operating in North Riverdale continues to be an unpopular idea among locals who live in the area.
The men’s shelter, currently under construction at 6661 Broadway is expected to open toward the latter part of 2025, according to the work in progress sign on the temporary construction wall.
“I’ve been opposed since the [shelter] proposal — because its a failed model,” Laura Spalter said on behalf of the Broadway Community Alliance, an all-volunteer civic group formed in 2013 in response to development projects along the northern Broadway corridor.
Spalter was the chairperson of Community Board 8 (CB8) when the men’s shelter was originally proposed in 2021.
She said that there has been no recent communication from site owner and developer Westhab ever since she was told the proposed site would be an “employment shelter.”
“Whatever that means,” Spalter added. “They never elaborated on that.”
An employment shelter is a program that helps people who are homeless or experiencing housing instability find employment and permanent housing.
A Chinese restaurant which was home to the North Riverdale neighborhood for 25 years was one of several businesses to be closed and demolished to make room for the shelter site.
“They are just going to be warehoused [at the shelter],” Spalter said of the incoming individuals. “People need help — but this is not a long-term solution for them.”
Department of Homeless Services presented plans of a men’s shelter to the community board in June 2023, agency officials said clients would be admitted into the homeless shelter with no background checks pertaining to criminal records, sex offender status or mental impairment.
“We hate it,” USC Gymnastics and Baseball Training Facility owner Andy Diaz said, referring to the idea of the shelter. “We’re running a child-based facility here – and you see people just outside shooting up and doing other drugs.”
Diaz added, residents of another nearby Westhab-operated shelter on Bruce Avenue in Yonkers often linger and loiter outside his business. The training facility, located at 636 S. Broadway, sits a few blocks from the proposed shelter site.
He predicts the same issues will arise when another shelter opens within proximity.
“I might have to move my business because of it,” Diaz said.
A resident who has lived adjacent to the future location of the shelter for the past year said he is not in support of the plan but understands the importance of combating the city’s housing crisis.
“I am all for providing adequate shelter for those who are unhoused, especially during the colder months when sleeping outside can be a matter of life or death,” the resident said who has unhoused people squatting in his building and who requested to remain anonymous. “At the same time, I’m frustrated with the lack of transparency around the development of the project.”
The resident said he will probably extend his lease another year and stay in the North Riverdale neighborhood. However, the idea of a men’s shelter being located in a close vicinity to his residence made him second guess that decision.
The Press reached out to Westhab with a list of questions about the project, particularly regarding a screening process of housed individuals prior to admission and inquired why Westhab chose the North Riverdale location for this housing.
Westhab replied to our inquiry and stated they forwarded our questions to the Department of Homeless Services.
The Press is awaiting response.