A $500 million Higher West Aspect girls’s shelter that was supposed to come back with an on-site well being clinic has as an alternative introduced drug use, public nudity and day by day mayhem to a block with a preferred playground, livid neighbors stated.
The 200-bed Mission Renewal shelter at 537 West 59th St. opened in Could to deal with girls grappling with habit and critical psychological sickness.
However locals say the power opened with out the promised clinic — leaving residents with out wanted care and households scared to make use of Gertrude Ederle Playground subsequent door.
“It’s an enormous downside. It’s proper subsequent to a playground,” neighbor Heather, who declined to present her final identify, instructed The Publish. “There are individuals capturing up and vomiting within the playground.”
A trainer who requested to not be named stated her faculty now takes the scholars to a playground additional away to keep away from the chaos.
“The explanation why we haven’t been coming right here as typically is due to the ladies,” the trainer stated. “When you could have little ones operating round, it turns into unsafe.”
The trainer stated syringes have been discovered within the park, and that residents have been noticed bare and typically seen organising makeshift camps on the sidewalk.
“Clearly they don’t get the assistance they deserve,” she stated. “These individuals are not simply struggling financially. They’re struggling mentally.”
Heather stated she has seen residents wandering the realm in weird outfits — together with one girl dressed as a satan and one other in a towel and ski goggles.
“They’re getting half a billion {dollars} to do that, and clearly they’re not offering the providers they’re presupposed to,” she stated.
Mission Renewal’s monetary data present the nonprofit acquired practically $104 million in authorities grants throughout fiscal 12 months 2025.
A spokesperson for the Division of Social Providers, which manages the shelter contract, stated the situation is already offering the ladies with much-needed providers.
“This just lately opened web site is at the moment geared up with clinicians, case managers, and different social providers employees to deal with the advanced wants of every shopper and assist them on their distinctive path to restoration and everlasting housing,” the spokesperson stated.
However Stacy Lefton, who has lived within the space for 17 years, stated the once-quiet space has develop into unrecognizable.
“This can be a household neighborhood,” she stated. “I see the ladies preventing with one another.”
Lefton stated ambulances are referred to as to the shelter typically as a lot as 4 instances a day. Over one current weekend, she stated, a lady spent hours exterior with out pants or underwear.
Lefton additionally, throughout a stroll along with her canine, watched one other girl sit on the street, pull out a needle, inject herself and move out.
Lefton stated shelter staff instructed her to name 911 when she raised considerations.
“It was so scary. I ran dwelling and referred to as 911 and reported she wanted assist,” she stated.
“That is so counterproductive,” she stated. “These individuals have to be in inpatient amenities. What they’re doing right here will not be acceptable in any respect.”
Metropolis Councilwoman Gale Brewer stated her workplace has acquired dozens of complaints concerning the shelter and she or he just lately met with Mission Renewal and the town Division of Social Providers concerning the points, together with about whether or not the inhabitants could possibly be adjusted to incorporate girls with much less potent wants.
“I used to be not supportive of this, however we’re making an attempt to cope with it,” Brewer stated.
Brewer stated she additionally desires solutions about when the clinic will lastly open.
“It’s not open, and that’s an issue,” she stated. “I’ve but to get a date.”
Mission Renewal’s plans for the shelter included a 1,500-square-foot clinic providing main care, behavioral well being providers and different therapy to shelter residents and group members.
The spokesperson from the DSS stated the clinic continues to be ready on authorities approvals.
A spokesperson for Mission Renewal didn’t reply to an inquiry from The Publish.
The group Buddies of Ederle Playground requested the town Division of Investigation in 2023 to probe the $500 million, 40-year authorities contract awarded through the closing months of the de Blasio administration.
