Latest Press Releases
We work to change the narrative about homelessness. We educate our housed neighbors and communities about housing justice, and we combat misinformation about homelessness and our unhoused neighbors through everything from public op-eds to personal conversations.
Please send media queries to: info@openheartsinitiative.org
Press Release Archive
2021
August 4, 2021 - Doctors + Nurses Unions Join Shams DaBaron, Activists + Electeds: Stop the Deadly Transfers Amid Delta Surge
July 30, 2021 - #JulyHomelessRights Month Wins Major Victory: A Pathway to Permanent Housing for Homeless New Yorkers
July 26, 2021 - Lucerne 1 Year Later: Lawmakers + Advocates Demand Mayor + Governor Stop Transfers; House Homeless NYers
July 26, 2021 - CM Mark Levine, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, and Dozens of Physicians: Don’t Put Homeless New Yorkers’ Lives At Risk
July 23, 2021 - Homeless Rights Activists Win Meeting with Top Admin Officials Following Sleep-Out Outside Gracie Mansion
July 22, 2021 - UWS Open Hearts and Da Homeless Hero to Mayor de Blasio: Save Lives, Stop the Transfers!
July 21, 2021 - Brad Lander + New Council Members: Protect & House Homeless New Yorkers Now!
July 16, 2021 - Mayor de Blasio Responds to Pressure From #JulyHomelessRights Activists
July 10, 2021 - Advocates Stage “Homeless Rights March” on Gracie Mansion, Charge Mayor de Blasio with Reckless Endangerment of Homeless New Yorkers
January 5, 2021 - 5-Judge Panel Rules Residents Can Stay at Lucerne ~ 6 Months
2020
December 14, 2020 - UWS Kids Celebrate Holidays w/ Homeless Neighbors @ the Lucerne
December 10, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts Applauds CM Levin For Threatening Oversight Into DHS Over Lucerne Move
November 29, 2020 - Advocates + Shelter Residents to Mayor: Leave the Lucerne Alone, Help the 5K Homeless in Congregate Shelters
November 27, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts, Shelter Residents + Advocates Demand Mayor de Blasio Empty Congregate Shelters
November 26, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts + BP Gale Brewer Celebrate Bittersweet Thanksgiving with Lucerne Residents + Others
November 20, 2020 - Maya Wiley, Lucerne Residents, Open Hearts: "Mayor, Come to the Lucerne!"
November 14, 2020 - PA Williams, Mayoral Candidates, Ruth Messinger, Electeds, and Lucerne Residents: Keep Men at the Lucerne
October 8, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts Initiative Letter to West Side Community Organization
September 29, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts Initiative Wins Prestigious Award for Community Service
September 27, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts, elected officials and advocates call on Mayor de Blasio to halt relocation of Project Renewal clients from Lucerne Hotel
September 25, 2020 - Statement from Corinne Low, co-founder of the UWS Open Hearts Initiative, In support of the Lucerne residents
September 13, 2020 - The UWS Open Hearts Initiative and “Homeless Can’t Stay Home” Protest Mayor de Blasio with Stars of Hope
September 2, 2020 - Elected Officials, Homeless New Yorkers, and Advocates Defend Hotel Placements, Renew Calls for Greater Affordable Housing
August 29, 2020 - UWS Residents Hold a Sleep Out in Solidarity with Homeless New Yorkers
Copy of the Open Letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio
August 27, 2020 - UWS Open Hearts Initiative Pushes Back on Misinformation About Shelters and Irresponsible Demands to the City