NEW YORK – CBS News New York is learning more about a migrant shelter that opened in Riverdale after elected officials say they were kept in the dark about it by the city.
In August, CBS News New York captured videos of furniture will be moved to a building at Waldo Avenue and 238th Street in Riverdale.
“DHS refuses to live with us”
Converted from a student dormitory into a 95-room urban migrant shelter, residents say they only know it is open through their own observations.
“I’ve seen people come in with packages. Food, I think,” said one resident.
Elected officials in the district also say they have not received confirmation from the city about the opening.
“A lot of what we don’t know is because DHS refuses to communicate with us. The reason I know families are moving in is because I went there myself to ask if families were moving in,” said Council Member Eric. Dinowitz. “And that is not an acceptable way for our city agencies to communicate.”
CBS News New York was able to get answers from the Department of Homeless Services, which confirmed that the site began welcoming families in early September and is currently at 40% capacity.
Dinowitz says he and his team met with DHS in August, but says there has been no communication with them since then about the details of how the shelter is operating.
“It almost seems like they have no desire to work with the local community and accept support, and that’s all we and the local community have ever wanted to provide,” Dinowitz said.
“We try to be working partners here”
Mayor Eric Adams responded to a question from CBS News New York during his media availability on Tuesday about the lack of information alleged by elected officials in the Riverdale district.
“I would be surprised if no calls were made, and if they weren’t, they should have been. But let’s be honest, no elected official I know would raise their hand and say, “Hey, bring the shelter here.” Adams said.
While Dinowitz originally wanted the space to be more housing for the community, he says they are open to working with DHS, but need open lines of communication to do so.
“We try to work together here and try to represent everyone in the community. Whether you have lived here for 50 years or are just moving into a shelter, we are here to help, but we need city agencies that are willing to work with us,” Dinowitz said.
A DHS spokesperson sent CBS News New York this statement:
“To continue providing critical shelter services to both longtime New Yorkers and newcomers, it is imperative that there is sufficient shelter capacity available to serve those in need. As we open new DHS shelter facilities to meet this need, we are committed to ensuring that elected officials and community representatives receive advance notice of new facilities and both the agency and our nonprofits maintain open and active lines of communication with the community to ensure we respond to concerns and questions as they arise.”
While DHS says they are committed to keeping the lines of communication open with the community, Dinowitz hopes he and his will still be prioritized by the agency to set up a meeting soon to discuss the shelter.
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