Court Rules in Favor of UWS Homeless Staying in Hotels Rather than Moving Downtown

By: David Stoudameyer

It looks like the homeless are going to be in the UWS for a while, after shelter residents won an emergency court ruling that temporarily blocks their relocation downtown.

The NY Post reported: The initial victory came just hours after three hard-luck New Yorkers staying at the shelter operating inside of the Lucerne Hotel intervened in a lawsuit already filed by residents who live near the Wall Street lodging, a former Radisson Hotel on Williams Street.

Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Debra James granted the temporary injunction sought by the men after two hours of argument that were closed to the public, writing the move could not happen without an additional hearing as it would “materially affect and compromise their rights.”

TJV has reported extensively about the controversial housing of homeless at empty hotels, including the Lucerne.

The Lucerne, on 79th Street and Amsterdam, the Hotel Belleclaire, on 76th Street and Broadway, and the Belnord, on West 87th, were recently converted into homeless shelters, with nearly 300 vagrants between them. Among the residents are six pedophiles and 10 sex offenders in total, including convicted rapists and child molesters, TJV previously reported.

The quality of life crimes included public lewdness, open heroin use and prostitution have plagued the UWS since the hotels were converted into homeless shelters. Guardian Angels founder and Mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa spent time over the summer with UWS residents, training them on handling quality of life issues.

It was reported previously in TJV that Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is paying for 75 percent of the new housing program’s cost along with New York City, and the arrangement was due to expire in October.

“I am thrilled by the Court’s decision today. This will give the men living at the Lucerne Shelter Hotel a voice in the process,” said attorney Michael Hiller, who represented the three men. “It also proves that, in the eyes of the law, it doesn’t make a difference who you know, or how much money you have; everyone is equal.

Residents in other areas have also pushed back against future plans to house homeless in their NYC areas.

NY Post reported: “I am thrilled by the Court’s decision today. This will give the men living at the Lucerne Shelter Hotel a voice in the process,” said attorney Michael Hiller, who represented the three men. “It also proves that, in the eyes of the law, it doesn’t make a difference who you know, or how much money you have; everyone is equal.