DSS responds to strained homeless relations in Chelsea
BY DEAN MOSES
The Department of Social Services
(DSS) has weighed-in on the evergrowing
social war in Chelsea.
Long-time residents of the Midtown
neighborhood and newcomers residing in
vacant hotels that have transformed into
make-shift shelters have been at odds for
almost a year now. Opinions range from
support of the homeless arrivals to hatred
and scorn of those men and women who
are said to commit constant debauchery.
Those living and working in the area have
leveled blame at everything from drug
addiction and mental illness, to unsympathetic
politicians and a lack of social care.
The DSS has repudiated complaints
regarding lack of specialized care for
homeless individuals staying in the area,
stating that the hotel housing program is—
by design—intended to keep all involved
safe from the spread of COVID-19 while
also stating they are open to a continued
dialogue about the controversial situation.
“As we have said, in the short-term, to
continue preventing the spread of COVID
19, we must continue implementing our
temporary emergency strategies, like using
commercial hotel locations as relocation
sites for our congregate shelters. As part
of that effort, we aim to collaborate with
communities and maintain open dialogue
about these strategies in order to most
Homelessness in New York City has increased exponentially since the dawn of
the pandemic.
effectively support our neighbors in need
during these unprecedented times,” DSS
said in a statement.
According to DSS, they have consulted
with Manhattan Community Board 4,
who have requested that the emergency
homeless relocation sites be more widely
distributed throughout their district.
“We identifi ed an available alternative location
where we and our not-for-profi t partner
NAICA believe we can better serve and
continue to protect approximately 300 clients
currently residing in the district. In partnership
with excellent client services provider
NAICA, we are committed to ensuring that
we continue to provide comprehensive services
and stability to our most vulnerable clients
while prioritizing their health and safety for
the duration of the pandemic,” the DSS said.
Community District 4 and DSS have
collaborated over the last serval months to
relocate sheltered individuals from Hotel
Central on 36th street to the Four Seasons
on 40th street in hopes of alleviating the
neighborhood issue. In response to this
change of residence, some of the homeless
occupants protested the move with a rally
held on Jan. 12 outside of their former
home. Those at the demonstration called
the move “displacement” and “traumatic.”
In order to provide a more effective
dedicated space, DSS has worked with the
Hotel Association of New York (HANYC)
to identify locations that provide amenities,
recreational areas, units, and are closer to
community support sites, such as faithbased
institutions.
The strategy for using commercial hotels
was coordinated in an effort to help prevent
the spread of the novel coronavirus. DSS
has emphasized that these hotels are temporary,
used only until it has been deemed
safe by the city and health organizations to
re-open homeless shelters where individuals
can safely congregate.
“Data shows these actions are working—
and we remain committed to continually
adapting to a constantly evolving situation,
engaging openly with communities about
our life-saving strategies and making this
the best and safest experience it can be for
these individuals as they get back on their
feet,” DSS reported.
With these shelters serving as a temporary
fi x, those living in the hotels express worry
for their future. “I am just praying to God.
I’m grateful to wake up another day. From
Bellevue, Beth Hill Atlantic, East Tremont,
to here, and to now East 40th. What’s next?”
said John Green, a shelter resident who attended
the Jan. 12th rally. “They shift us
around. It’s a chess game,” he added.
Cuomo outlines $306B infrastructure plan including Midtown developments
BY MARK HALLUM
As part of a $306 billion infrastructure
plan, Cuomo outlined the
larger scope of his redevelopment
plan for the waterfront on the west side
on Thursday in the fi nal installment of his
2021 State of the State address.
As part of the statewide plan, Cuomo
said a $51 billion overhaul of Pier 76,
currently an NYPD tow yard, and other
components to the Empire Station Complex
and an expansion to the High Line which
he expects to create 196,000 jobs.
Simultaneously, Cuomo’s administration
is preparing to restore the MTA’s $54
billion capital plan adopted in early 2020
and shelved along the way as a cost-saving
measure amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“We’re going to continue to modernize
our mass transit systems. We will accelerate
key elements of the historic $51 billion
MTA capital plan,” Cuomo said. “Upgrading
signaling, purchasing new trains and
buses, and making dozens of more stations
ADA accessible. We will further extend the
Second Avenue Subway from 96th Street to
125th Street. That will open up the east side
all the way up to Harlem for new exciting
PHOTO BY MIKE GROLL/OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO
Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his 2021 State of the State Address in the War
Room at the State Capitol on Jan. 14
possibilities. We will complete the $2.6 billion,
Long Island Railroad third track expansion
in 2022, which involves 50 projects.”
But what appeared to the governor as a
bold and exciting announcement for New
Yorkers anxious to start anew following
the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates were
keeping themselves, and Cuomo, grounded.
Concerns for the Riders Alliance remained
around how the MTA will sustain
itself in the future fi nancially to avoid future
fi nancial crises, as well as bringing back 24/7
subways service, suspended between 1 and
5 a.m. for cleaning operations back in May.
“New Yorkers need Governor Cuomo to
focus his energies on delivering a reliable
and accessible subway system. He must also
stop the regressive fare hike, restore 24/7
subway service and fi nd lasting progressive
solutions to the MTA’s revenue problems,”
Riders Alliance Policy Director Danny
Pearlstein said. “Public transit has a pivotal
role to play in New York’s pursuit of
climate and racial equity. As he sets and
implements his infrastructure priorities,
the governor must put the needs of essential
workers and millions of transit-dependent
New Yorkers fi rst.”
Also in Cuomo’s redevelopment plan is
a decision to start over with Port Authority
Bus Terminal which he said would allow
for more commercial space, fewer buses
and less pollution going to the surrounding
communities, all while improving the
commuting experience.
“The Governor’s strong leadership and
vision to keep building and put potentially
tens of thousands of New Yorkers back to
work will not only modernize our system
but revitalize the region’s economy,” MTA
spokesman Tim Minton said. “Leveraging
federal investment, the MTA will plan to
accelerate key elements of its historic $51.5
billion 2020-2024 capital plan, building on
the $2 billion of projects already accelerated
in 2020. In the face of COVID and
federal uncertainty, the MTA has achieved
signifi cant progress with the Capital Program,
from fi nishing the L Train Tunnel
and 11 new ADA accessible stations, to the
early completion of critical track work at
Archer Avenue – and this will continue into
2021 and beyond.”
4 January 21, 2021 Schneps Media