Several senior residents at Belleclaire Hotel, located at 2175 Broadway (between 76th and 77th Street), spoke to reporters at ABC News to voice their concerns over a number of homeless people who were recently moved into the building.
There are about twenty permanent senior residents at the hotel, and four of them spoke with ABC. One resident only found out about her new neighbors the day after they moved in, which was May 3rd. She estimates that there are about 150 new homeless residents at the Belleclaire.
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A spokesman for the Department of Social Services told ABC News that the homeless residents “have not expressed symptoms and are not ill”. However, he didn’t specify whether those previously living in shelters had actually been tested.
Some senior residents state they’ve seen some of the new arrivals walking around without masks. So even if they’re free of COVID-19, they could potentially catch it and bring it back to the hotel.
The common sentiment among these seniors was that they do want the homeless to be provided with shelter, but that empty hotels should be used.
Said one resident, “Why didn’t they use truly empty hotels instead of putting us in jeopardy? Would you want to live in a homeless shelter?”
A statement from the DSS states, “At DSS, we’re continuing to implement tiered strategies and proactive initiatives to combat COVID-19, protect the New Yorkers who we serve, and ensure anyone who needs it is connected immediately to care or to isolation — and the use of commercial hotels is central to this work.”
Click here for updates about Upper West Side homeless shelters.
If these folks now reside in an apartment, they are no longer homeless. It might be worth celebrating that the pandemic caused them to accept or be helped with finding permanent housing. Welcome them! This can be a life changing experience for you and a new friend all in one.
You welcome them in your building or shut it.
I object to the fact that these homeless residents congregate on the 77th
Broadway meridian 24/7, they do not practice social distancing, and very few wear
masks. I contacted the police, but they did nothing about it.
I agree COMPLETELY!!!! I live on the block and they also congregate on the steps of the church across the street. It’s loud/offensive music until 2-3am, loud profanity, fighting, etc…. including groups together without masks. It’s unfair to the residents of the neighborhood.
The Belleclaire residents sound very snobby and arrogant when they state their concerns. We’re all in this now – so why not accept those who were less lucky?
Omg come on be serious!!
Unless you live here, shut your trap. You know nothing sbout the conditions livingin this building now. It’s a mess and healthwise, dangerous.
This could be one of those real estate jobs. They put homeless and crazies into a hotel or older building of any sort. The crazies drive the sane out, then the real estate interests summarily throw out the homeless and crazies. Then they convert the empty building to expensive condos or co-ops. I saw that happen at the Prince Albert Hotel on 28th st. and Madison Ave. This is a well-known game. Present tenants beware!
These long time residents have a right to be concerned. Giving them no heads up about the incoming residents shows a strong sign of lack of respect they’re giving them.