New York City is facing a homelessness and affordable housing crisis. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, around 350,000 people in NYC are without a home. That includes 132,000 people in city shelters, thousands on the streets and subways, and an estimated 200,000+ sleeping doubled- or tripled-up in other people’s homes. Meanwhile, affordable housing is incredibly hard to come by: last year, less than 1% of homes renting for under $1,649/month were vacant.

New Yorkers in every community should welcome an opportunity to help solve our longstanding homelessness crisis, and we are excited to have a Safe Haven in the Financial District–a crucial resource that our neighborhood currently lacks.

Here’s why we’re excited to welcome this Safe Haven:

• The 105 Washington St Safe Haven, which will be run by experienced provider CUCS, will provide 84 beds for unsheltered neighbors, alongside a robust array of on-site services. CUCS staff members assess each client’s unique needs and provide support. Available services include primary medical care, psychiatric care, substance treatment, counseling, job placement assistance, and more.

• Safe Havens are an alternative to the traditional congregate shelter model, and are structured in a way that is often more appealing for folks who have been hesitant to enter shelter. Learn more about the Safe Haven model in this CUCS newsletter here. 

• This will be the first Safe Haven in Manhattan south of 14th Street, and residents will be directly placed there by street outreach teams. That means that this will be a great resource for unsheltered neighbors who you see around the neighborhood, who will now be able to access a Safe Haven in their own community.

Want to help? Get involved with Lower Manhattan Open Hearts!

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is a chapter of the Open Hearts Initiative. We’re a group of neighbors working to welcome and support homeless neighbors in our community–at sites like 105 Washington St and beyond–and build connections across housing status.

Some of our recent activities have included:

• Gathering donations for and assembling 84 “welcome kits” with toiletries, sleep masks, and homemade cards for folks moving into 105 Washington St

• Creative writing hangouts and art workshops at local shelters

• Getting-to-know-your-neighbors events with coffee and donuts

• A book drive for a local shelter (coming soon!)

We’re excited to connect with our neighbors at the new Safe Haven and start planning events there. Want to get involved to welcome and support homeless neighbors? Sign up below!