Construction now underway for 130-bed men's homeless shelter in Riverdale
Some people in the neighborhood are not happy with the decision to place the shelter at that particular location.
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Construction is now underway on the corner of West 262nd Street and Broadway in Riverdale, where a new 130-bed men’s homeless shelter is expected to open later this year.
But some people in the neighborhood are not happy with the decision to place the shelter at that particular location.
“I don’t know why they put it in this area because, I feel like, there could have been a lot of other places to put it,” said Gennette Guzman, of Riverdale.
News 12 first reported on the story in 2021, when the proposal caused controversy in the community.
Several businesses were kicked out and knocked down to make room for the shelter, which is under development by Westhab.
“Just to have them in such close proximity, where we have little kids coming in every day, we’re just not that comfortable,” said Deena Diaz, co-owner of the USC Gymnastics and Baseball Training Facility.
The athletic center serves hundreds of children just one block away from the future shelter.
Diaz said they’ve already experienced issues with homeless men from other shelters in the area and had to install a door buzzer for better security.
“Homeless men [used to] just open the door, and they come in the facility, and then it’s very hard to get them to leave,” Diaz said.
The Department of Social Services previously told News 12 that the homeless shelter will enforce a 10 p.m. curfew and offer social services, as well as 24-hour security.
But Diaz said that’s not enough, and she’s thinking about relocating her business.
“With the drug use, the mental issues - to add on another 130 men right across the street, I don’t think our clients will feel safe,” Diaz said. “As a facility owner, I don’t feel safe.”
News 12 reached out to Westhab for an interview and did not hear back.
