New Homeless Shelter On The Upper East Side: Reader Poll

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A new homeless shelter for men is planned to open on the Upper East Side this spring, and the neighborhood has mixed opinions about it.

The shelter, planned for 1114 First Ave. near East 61st Street, will be operated by Housing Solutions of New York. It will offer a range of services, including case management, counseling, job placement assistance and help securing permanent housing.

Because the facility is located within 1,000 feet of a school, it will be subject to additional restrictions, Community Board 8 Chair Valerie Mason said at a recent meeting. Men on probation or parole for sex offenses will not be permitted to stay at the shelter, and residents will be required to follow an 11 p.m. curfew, Mason said.

Opposition has been vocal. As of Tuesday, more than 2,500 people had signed a petition opposing the shelter, arguing that its location "poses unacceptable risks to residents, small businesses, employees, customers, and the long-term stability of the neighborhood."

However, the proposal has also drawn support from many. In neighborhood forums and the Patch comments section, several residents said they support the new shelter.

"It sounds like this is not an open door to all. So don’t panic; show your hearts to those in need. Someday you might need help as well," one Patch reader wrote in the comments.

The city's Department of Homeless Services will present more in-depth details to the public at a community board meeting, which hasn't been scheduled yet, Mason said.

Upper East Siders: What do you think about the plan? Take our reader poll below. Once you've answered, feel free to explain your reasoning in the new comments section below this article.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.