Overview
- Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Sabrina Kraus on Wednesday ordered the city to delay opening the men’s intake site at 8 E. 3rd St. and set oral arguments for May 7.
- The city announced on March 5 it would close the Bellevue intake shelter over unsafe conditions and start May 1 directing single men to 8 E. 3rd St. and adult families to 333 Bowery, with intake continuing at Bellevue for now.
- Residents and the group V.O.I.C.E. sued Monday, arguing the administration rushed the move, skipped required land-use, environmental and “fair share” reviews, and gave the neighborhood little notice.
- The lawsuit cites occupancy limits at 8 E. 3rd St. and an affidavit from former DHS official Robert Mascali, who says the site is too small and notes the city moved intake from that address to Bellevue in 1984 due to crowding and safety concerns.
- Advocacy groups including Legal Aid and the Coalition for the Homeless say the East 3rd Street building has long served as a shelter and past intake hub, press ADA accessibility questions, and criticize what they call not‑in‑my‑backyard opposition.