UWS Wary Of Plan To Use Women's Shelter For Men, Report Says

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Upper West Side residents are skeptical of a city plan to repurpose a neighborhood women's shelter to serve men, and their concerns have been backed by the local community board, according to reports.

Community Board 7's health and human services committee passed a res0lution in late September opposing the city's plan for a shelter on West 107th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam avenues, the West Side Rag first reported. The committee's resolution also asked for more transparency regarding the future of the site from the city Department of Homeless Services after a representative of the agency failed to show up for the committee meeting, according to the report.

Dozens of local residents attended the committee meeting to testify against the city plan, citing a positive relationship between the current shelter residents and its neighbors, the West Side Rag reported. Many current residents of the shelter also voiced concerns about the change, saying that they've established a normal routine at the site.

A representative for the Department of Homeless Services told the West Side Rag in a statement that the plan for the site would not increase the number of beds at the shelter, it would only change the population based off the city's needs. The spokeswoman said that all current residents of the shelter would be transferred to another shelter or permanent housing, according to the report.

Community Board 7 will address the committee resolution during its full board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, according to a meeting agenda.

Read the full West Side Rag report here.