July 31, 2009

Queens, NY, Residents Reject Homeless Shelter for HIV-Positive People

New York City’s Human Resources Administration has decided not to send homeless clients who are HIV positive to a shelter in Elmhurst, Queens, because of protests from the neighborhood’s residents, the New York Daily News reports. Despite a rally against shelter earlier this month, the Queens Alliance, which runs similar facilities in other boroughs, plans to continue operating their Elmhurst location.

According to the article, the Queens Alliance facility aimed to provide temporary housing for up to 29 homeless, HIV-positive people. Locals are concerned about the shelter’s proximity to an elementary and nursery school, as well as a facility for disabled adults. Elmhurst residents intend to present about 1,400 signatures that they collected in support of closing the facility to Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and the Human Resources Administration.

“The fear here is that we don’t know what’s happening with this site,” said Rosemarie Daraio, president of the civic group Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together. “We’re very concerned.”

The city has not sent any clients to the shelter during the one month it has been open.

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Previous Comments:

George, Seattle, 2009-08-04 17:32:58
It's all in how you spin it. Be fair. There is no way to tell from information presented whether the residents are against a "Homeless Shelter for HIV-Positive People" in their neighborhood or they are against any "Homeless Shelter" in their neighborhood.

Seth Lesmeister, San Francisco, 2009-08-04 16:21:34
I think it is absolutely disgusting that in this day and age, HIV positive people still have massive stigma. Even in New York! When is this Stigma against people with HIV goona stop! It hurts so much!

Linda, Baltimore, 2009-08-01 13:56:51
this just shows us how much Ignorence is still out there about hiv,do these people know the status of everyone in the area they are so concerned about? doubtfull! its not like they have a half way house there where crimminals will be staying or a rehab center for drug and alcohol related issues its people with an illness who have no place to go to keep out of the heat,or the cold and rain.if 1 of their family member would get HIV will they ask permission from their neighbors to have them there?