Open Hearts Initiative Blasts Mayor Adams’ Decision to Cancel 231 Grand Street Stabilization Bed Site and Drop-In Center

Today, Mayor Adams announced that the city is canceling plans to open a stabilization bed site and drop-in center at 231 Grand Street. The site had been approved by the city’s Office of Management and Budget and was slated to open on May 23. It would have provided 94 beds in a single-room, low-barrier setting. This decision comes on the heels of the city’s announcement last week that they will not be moving forward with another low-barrier site planned for the area at 47 Madison Street and will be closing an existing single-room site at 52 William Street.

“For the administration to recklessly sweep people off the streets and subways while taking away the low-barrier options they are touting to encourage people to come inside is stunningly cruel. It shows a callous disregard for the well-being of the homeless New Yorkers who Mayor Adams supposedly wants to help,” said Corinne Low, co-founder and Executive Director of the Open Hearts Initiative.

“I have spent the past several months speaking with community members in Lower Manhattan who have boldly voiced their support for welcoming homeless neighbors to 231 Grand Street. They have spoken out in spite of personal attacks from groups and individuals opposed to this site–because they believe deeply that every person deserves a humane place to live, and that when all of us have our needs met, everyone is safer. The city’s decision to abandon them to placate NIMBY backlash is cowardly and short-sighted,” said Sara Newman, Director of Organizing for the Open Hearts Initiative.