Chaos and outrage swept through New York City’s Upper East Side on Monday as locals crowded a public meeting to vehemently oppose a proposed homeless shelter. These residents argue that the shelter, planned for women, masks a profit-driven agenda.
The new facility, which had initially been intended as a men’s center, will now serve as a shelter for up to 250 women. The change came after significant public opposition. The shelter is expected to open its doors around April.
During a Community Board 8 meeting organized by Housing Solutions of New York (HSNY), detractors voiced their concerns about the shelter’s close proximity to local schools and daycare centers. They accused city officials of rushing the project through, enabling developers to profit while disregarding the community’s interests.
In early 2025, city authorities reportedly assured local leaders that the project was on hold indefinitely. However, by January 2026, it was suddenly declared nearly complete, offering the community only a few weeks to react before its imminent opening.
“What we’re offended by is the lack of notification and the wrong location. It shouldn’t be here,” said Bonnie Barend, a community member, criticizing the choice of site for the shelter.
This development adds a layer of tension to the Carnegie Hill neighborhood, where residents, already grappling with the rapid pace of urban change, are left questioning the transparency and intentions behind such projects.
“And I’m also offended by the way you’ve been talking to these great citizens here tonight. They care about their community. They care about your safety, their children’s safety. We shouldn’t be denigrating anyone here.”
In response, city representatives and some locals emphasized the urgent need for homeless services in districts that lack proper resources.
To address concerns, the board said the center will include heavy security, strict curfews and a ban on residents with specific criminal histories, especially women on probation or parole for sex offenses due to the nearby school.
A homeless person sleeps on a New York City street. (Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
However, when HSNY Chief Program Officer Xellex Rivera explained that it only asks newcomers about criminal history, the crowd erupted in outrage, with one resident shouting, “Unacceptable. That is not a background check.”
Rivera responded, “That is fair. I 100% agree with everybody. That is fair.” Rivera added that while it can check sex offender registries, it cannot conduct a full criminal background check.
Other residents raised concerns about the shelter’s proximity to a legal cannabis dispensary and a Home Depot, arguing that tools sold there could be used as weapons and suggesting that guards should be armed. A local father also cited a recent tragedy at a shelter in Long Island City to highlight potential risks to children.
A woman attempts to stay out of a windy corridor with her belongings Feb. 17, 2025, in New York City. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)
Tensions remained high as community members and city representatives continued to clash, with one resident shouting at board chairperson Valerie Mason, “You’re not advocating for us!”
During the uproar, the moderator added, “There are valid concerns being expressed but if you’re going to yell at me, it doesn’t help to get them aired.”
Board member Todd “TJ” Stein also expressed disappointment with the process, saying, “This was just, unfortunately, not a really well-run meeting. And that just sucks. … We as a community had three weeks to basically be thrown this information.”
In closing remarks, Valerie Mason acknowledged the atmosphere, saying, “I know it didn’t start off that great, but people were a little hot-tempered and not willing to understand how the process works.”
