Tapped In
Notes from the neighborhood
Compiled by Megan Finnegan
WEST SIDE DECKS OUT FOR FASHION WEEK
This Thursday marks the beginning of Fashion Week (Sept. 8-15), the biannual international convergence of designers, models, buyers, celebrities, press and fashionistas on New York to view the spring 2012 collections. But what is the average Upper West Sider to do during all the hubbub? (Aside from model-watching, of course.)
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SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR HOMELESS NYC CHILDREN
By Ashley Welch
Volunteers of America is currently collecting donations of brand-new backpacks and school supplies for the thousands of children living in the New York City shelter system.
The drive, called Operation Backpack, is in its ninth year. Last year, volunteers provided filled backpacks to 7,000 of the 11,000 homeless children in New York City. The goal for this year is 9,000.
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Finding Shelter From the Storm
Temporary shelter for homeless is useful, but permanent housing is needed
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the David B. Skinner Shelter at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. It is a milestone we plan to recognize this fall, honoring the volunteers who host 12 homeless men every night and keep the shelter running 365 days a year.
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Unintended Consequences
Illegal hotel law might bring homeless shelters to community
By Jade Earle
A new law designed to protect affordable housing and outlaw illegal hotels in the city has instead fueled community ire, as a single-room-occupancy designated building, which was formerly run as an illegal hotel, might now be converted into a homeless shelter. Read more
Residents Want Low-Income Housing After Homeless Shelter Closes
West 107th Street residents met with Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Robert Hess April 8 to discuss a temporary shelter on the block. Though Hess spent much of the meeting explaining how the shelter will affect the neighborhood until it closes Dec. 1, residents focused on converting the building into affordable housing after that date. Read more
Audit: Sloppy Contracting at Dept. of Homeless Services
Comptroller John Liu dubbed the Department of Homeless Services the “Department of Hand-Shake deals” in an audit released March 25.
The agency that has been using properties throughout the city—including a hostel at 237 W. 107th St.—for emergency homeless clients rarely signs contracts with service providers or the buildings’ landlords, the audit found. Payments to these organizations and landlords are based on “cooked” or “inflated” invoices, according to Liu. Read more
Hersh: ‘Disgusted’ with SRO Biz and Moving On
After the city announced that the West Side Inn Hostel will no longer be used as an emergency shelter for homeless women, owner Mark Hersh said he wants out of operating single room occupancy (SRO) buildings.
“I’m selling the [Colonial House Hotel], I’m getting out the business. I’m moving to Florida,” Hersh told West Side Spirit. “I’m disgusted with the SRO business.” Read more
HOMELESS HOUSING GROWS
Urban Pathways, the homeless services nonprofit, plans to expand its Upper West Side homeless housing location.
The nonprofit wants to renovate the Cluster House, at 904 Amsterdam Ave. and West 104th Street, into 52 studio apartments.
The Cluster House, celebrating its 20th anniversary next month, is a 48-unit single room occupancy building that specializes in housing homeless individuals with mental illness. Clients share bathrooms and are served food from a commercial kitchen on the premises.
With a new 52-unit studio apartment building, residents can learn to live independent lives, according to Frank Shack, Urban Pathways’ executive director.
“Our clients would be better served by providing studios instead of private sleeping accommodations,” Shack said. “It’s an opportunity to live independently, to prepare your own meals and have private accommodations for bathing.”
The renovation of the building will add an additional three stories on the roof, though the added floors will be set back and invisible from the street. The façade will be unchanged.
Shack said he is consulting the community on this proposal, though the city and community board do not need to weigh in on the project for it to move forward.
RAISING MONEY, ONE BLOCK AT A TIME
Every November, New York City bike messengers team up to raise money for the homeless by hosting an alleycat, which is an informal bicycle race through the streets. This year’s edition, known as Cranksgiving 10, will take place Friday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. starting at West 23rd Street and 11th Avenue. The race is open to everyone. All that is required is a bike, a bag and a lock. For more information, visit www.cranksgiving.org.
