Overlook Manor shelter has yet to install legally required window guards for migrant families in Riverdale
Overlook Manor, a migrant family shelter on West 238th Street and Waldo Avenue, is the subject of scrutiny following the action (or inaction) of the site’s owner and operator, Westhab, a New York City-based affordable and supportive housing developer which was appointed as the operator of the property about a year ago.
The shelter, dubbed Waldo Sanctuary, houses an estimated 40 to 50 families and between 150 and 200 residents including children, has yet to install window guards after families began moving in this past summer.
In New York City, the law states any residential unit located in a building with three or more apartment units, which houses a child 10 years and younger, is required to have guards on all windows.
“If the law requires it — then [Westhab] should be putting window guards on the windows,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who explained his constituents brought to his attention a month or so ago.
“[Westhab] should not be looking for a loophole in the system — protecting our children should always come first,” Dinowitz added.
Dinowitz, said the average stay at Overlook Manor is about one year for families and added the units are with ‘L brackets’ which limit the amount of space a window can be opened and acts as a safety precaution.
He sees no reason for Westhab to take shortcuts when it comes to an issue as important as ensuring that the kids of the community are kept safe and protected.
“We’re talking about the safety of children here,” Dinowitz added. “It doesn’t matter if these children are migrants or not — this is a safety issue and [Westhab] should not look to take shortcuts, because no apartment building should be exempt from installing this safety precaution, which is required by law.”
According to data from a UC Davis Health study published in May 2024, more than 3,000 children are injured due to falling out of a window each year, with about eight children each year passing away as a result.
The Press traveled to the site of the shelter in attempts to speak to Westhab and obtain more knowledge on Overlook Manor’s units do not have the legally required bars on their windows.
Westhab representative on site confirmed they “did not have any information or comments to provide at this time.”
Overlook Manor was built in the 1960s before being sold to Manhattan University in the ‘80s (then Manhattan College), when it was used as an off-campus dormitory for students.
Last year, Manhattan University (then Manttan College) sold the property to the Stagg Group, who appointed Westhab as the operator of the site, with migrant families beginning to move into the shelter in August.
As previously reported by The Riverdale Press, residential units located inside Overlook Manor resemble other affordable or supportive housing units, with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, with one migrant family to occupy each unit.
During their tenure at Overlook Manor, families who reside at the shelter are provided with meal services.
Keywords
Migrant shelter, Overlook Anor, Waldo Sanctuary, window guards, children, safety
