What is happening?

The city is looking to add four additional shelters to Chinatown in an area that already has six within a half-mile radius.

While two of the four proposed shelters are currently cancelled, 91 East Broadway to continues to move forward. Take a look below to understand the nearby neighborhood.

Why is this happening?

In recent years, homelessness in New York City has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

In February 2022, there were 48,482 homeless people, including 15,045 homeless children, sleeping each night in New York City’s main municipal shelter system. A near-record 18,833 single adults slept in shelters each night in February 2022. This means that 2/3rds of all homelessness in New York City are homeless families.

The city is looking to quickly address the problems of homelessness to get people off the streets.

Why is adding additional homeless shelters to Chinatown a problem?

Solving the issues of homeless needs to be more than just placing a building. It requires a multi-prong strategy to meet the needs of the people living on the streets.

On one hand, the city needs wants to have more options for shelters to house people on the streets but on the other hand, the city needs to build trust so that people on the streets will accept it. Most people that continue to live on the streets don’t find these shelters safe. The type of shelter matters.

Where can I learn more?

Visit our friends at Concerned Citizens of East Broadway (CCEB) for more information.

Visit our friends at the Alliance of Community Betterment and Preservation (ACPB) for more information on the proposed shelter on 231 Grand St specifically.