Lucerne removals could uproot shelter residents across NYC

New York City’s decision to kick out homeless shelter residents staying in a hotel on the Upper West Side may result in the displacement of homeless families staying in a Brooklyn shelter, Gothamist reports. 

In attempting to find room to house those previously staying in the Lucerne on the Upper West Side – booted after some locals organized and threatened to sue the city over their presence – other homeless people throughout New York City may also be moved. New York City has hit pause for now on one effort to push out people staying in a Midtown shelter after the Legal Aid Society threatened a lawsuit, though around 34 people staying there had already been evicted by that point.

New York City Council Member Stephen Levin said the de Blasio administration’s decision on the Upper West Side has led to a “domino effect,” as displaced homeless New Yorkers are relocated into shelters with existing residents who will have to move into other occupied shelters. This could lead to upheaval in two shelters in Queens and Brooklyn, which may result in families being forced to move just as the school begins. 

The movement has only fueled complaints that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio caved into political pressure in removing Lucerne residents at the expense of their well-being. Protesters marched to the mayor’s home on Sunday to call for the removals to be reversed.