NYC plans to convert luxury Harlem apartment building to shelter face uncertainty

Efforts to repurpose a once-envisioned luxury apartment building in Harlem into a homeless shelter have hit a snag, signaling uncertainty about the project’s future. Recent footage obtained by NY1 reveals crews purportedly removing furniture and equipment from the vacant structure at 2201 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, suggesting a halt in progress.

Ruth McDaniel, a community organizer and CEO of Breaking the Chains of Your Mind, expressed cautious optimism about the development. Despite her satisfaction with the apparent pause, McDaniel remains intrigued about the fate of the building. Located near 130th Street, the edifice was initially marketed as upscale accommodation boasting amenities like an indoor swimming pool and opulent marble bathrooms. However, it has languished unoccupied for a decade following developers’ foreclosure woes.

Mayor Eric Adams previously floated the idea of converting the building into a shelter for newly arrived migrants, but swiftly abandoned the proposal in the face of vehement community opposition. McDaniel, echoing sentiments of many locals, decried the plan, advocating instead for urgent action on affordable, income-driven housing solutions. Concerns about the integration of shelter residents into the community, especially children, underscore the stakes involved.

Subsequently, the city recalibrated its strategy, announcing intentions to repurpose the facility as shelter for struggling New York City families. However, dissent persists among some community members, exemplified by William Carroll’s assertion that the area should not bear the burden alone. The recent sighting of moving crews prompted NY1 to seek clarification from city officials.

In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services affirmed the city’s commitment to aiding housing-insecure New Yorkers. Deliberations are ongoing regarding the optimal utilization of the site to benefit low-income residents. Meanwhile, divergent opinions within the community reflect broader debates about homelessness, urban development, and equitable housing access. Pharmacists like Benjamin Omwudiwe advocate for additional shelter options to support marginalized individuals in Harlem.

The Department of Social Services underscores its exploration of permanent housing placements as part of its broader strategy to reduce reliance on shelter accommodations. Notably, the agency reports a 17% increase in permanent housing placements from shelter, underscoring ongoing efforts to address housing insecurity in New York City.