50+ Upper East Siders Send Open Letter to Eli Zabar in Support of the East 91st Street Safe Haven
Yesterday, over 50 residents, business owners, political leaders, Community Board members, and faith leaders on the Upper East Side sent an open letter to businessman Eli Zabar, following news that he has opposed and has been fighting in court to delay the construction of the East 91st Street Safe Haven, a critical transitional housing project slated for 419 E. 91st St. on the Upper East Side, to be operated by Goddard Riverside. The open letter was also shared with local elected officials.
Safe Havens are low-barrier transitional housing sites that offer services designed for New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, with residents able to be referred directly to the Safe Haven by the city’s street outreach teams. This project will provide beds to 88 people experiencing homelessness, as well as services including case management, primary care, social work and psychiatric services, and substance use recovery.
“We all stand to benefit from the safe haven, which is an important step in providing shelter and supporting people experiencing homelessness, often due to forces beyond their control. Most of us want our community to reflect the best of New York: a city that is inclusive, mutually supportive and where there is room for everyone,” said Thea Gelbspan, an organizer with SURJ-NYC (Showing Up for Racial Justice) and resident of the Upper East Side.
“Despite the extensive resources and support that our neighborhood has to offer people needing homes, the Upper East Side is one of the districts offering the least number of shelter beds and services in the entire city," said Lenox Hill resident Erica Bersin. "That is just wrong, and it is both unfounded and disingenuous to suggest that welcoming this safe haven will threaten our children or any of our neighbors. When everyone has safe shelter, we will all be more safe.”
“Having conducted outreach to unhoused New Yorkers for more than 28 years, I can definitively say that no one chooses, or deserves, to be homeless. All people should have a safe place to sleep. That will not only make the neighborhood more safe; it will also strengthen ties of mutual support and the shared sense of belonging in the wider city. As a neighborhood that represents substantial wealth, hosting a safe haven is the least that we can do, from the Upper East Side, to help confront the crises of homelessness in this city,” said Carl Garrison, Minister of Homeless Outreach at the Manhattan Church of Christ on E. 80th Street.
"Open Hearts is proud to work with a wonderful group of Upper East Siders who are eager to welcome and support homeless neighbors. This powerful letter from over 50 Upper East Side community leaders makes it clear that housed neighbors have a choice when it comes to homelessness: rather than using their voices and resources to say ‘not in my backyard,’ they can respond with empathy and compassion,” said Sara Newman, Director of Organizing at the Open Hearts Initiative.
