Upper East Side residents protest against proposed homeless shelter plan

Chaos and anger erupted on New York City’s affluent Upper East Side on Monday as residents held a public meeting to protest what they said was a “for-profit” homeless shelter.

The women’s shelter, which was converted from a facility for men after intense public outcry, is planned to open around April and will accommodate up to 250 women.

At the Community Board 8 Manhattan meeting organized by Housing Solutions of New York (HSNY), opponents raised alarm about the shelter’s proximity to schools and daycares. Residents also accused city officials of deliberately rushing the process to limit community input, accelerating a deal they said appeared lucrative for developers who cared little about neighborhood well-being.

The city reportedly told local leaders in early 2025 that the project was shelved indefinitely, but in January 2026 the project was re-announced as an active and nearly completed facility, leaving only a few weeks to organize before opening to the community.

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Community member Bonnie Barend criticized the suitability of the site, saying, “What bothers us is the lack of notice and the wrong location. It shouldn’t be here.”

“It also bothers me the way you speak to these wonderful citizens here tonight. They care about their communities. They care about your safety, the safety of their children. We shouldn’t be denigrating anyone here.”

In response, city representatives and some local residents emphasized the urgent need for homeless services in areas without appropriate resources.

To address concerns, the board said the facility would include tight security measures, strict curfews and bans on residents with certain criminal histories, especially women who are on probation or parole for sex crimes because of the nearby school.

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A homeless person sleeps next to his belongings on a street in New York City. (Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

However, HSNY Chief Program Officer Dr. When Xellex Rivera explained that they only ask new arrivals about their criminal history, the crowd erupted in anger, with one resident yelling, “Unacceptable! This is not a background check.”

“That’s fair. I agree with everyone 100%. That’s fair,” Rivera responded, adding that while they can check sex offender records, they can’t do a full criminal background check.

Other residents expressed concerns about the shelter’s proximity to a legal marijuana dispensary and Home Depot, arguing that tools sold there could be used as weapons and suggesting that guards should be armed. A local father also highlighted potential risks to children, citing a recent tragedy at a shelter in Long Island City.

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A woman tries to stay out of a windy hallway with her belongings in New York City on February 17, 2025. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

As community members and city representatives continued to clash, one resident yelled at board president Valerie Mason, “You’re not defending us!” Tension remained high as he shouted.

During the commotion, the moderator added: “Valid concerns are being raised, but airing them won’t do any good if you’re going to yell at me.”

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Board member Todd “TJ” Stein also expressed frustration with the process, saying, “This was unfortunately not a very well-run meeting. And that’s too bad…we had three weeks as a community to provide this information.”

In her closing remarks, Valerie Mason acknowledged the atmosphere: “I know it didn’t start out that well, but people are a little short-tempered and not willing to understand how the process works.”