Wealthy NYC Residents Delay Opening of Upper East Side Homeless Shelter

Judge grants temporary restraining order blocking the shelter's planned April opening

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:08pm

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Neighbors in a wealthy Manhattan neighborhood have notched a small victory in their fight against a controversial homeless shelter on the Upper East Side. A judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking the 200-bed shelter for single women from opening as planned in April, until an in-person hearing can address concerns from nearby residents about potential noise and other impacts.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between efforts to address homelessness and the concerns of affluent communities about the potential impacts of homeless shelters in their neighborhoods. It also raises questions about the balance between providing critical shelter services and addressing the legitimate concerns of local residents.

The details

The condo board of a nearby tower at 401 East 60th St. filed a lawsuit claiming the city and shelter operator failed to address "potentially significant noise impacts" and did not properly review the environmental impacts. The shelter operator refuted these claims, saying the two buildings are roughly 100 feet apart and separated by a street and a Home Depot store, and that noise mitigation plans are clearly outlined. The city's Department of Homeless Services said the shelter will bring needed capacity to the area and they look forward to working with the provider.

  • The temporary restraining order was granted on March 6, 2026.
  • The 200-bed homeless shelter for single women was originally planned to open in April 2026.

The players

Sabrina Kraus

Manhattan Supreme Court Judge who granted the temporary restraining order.

Bronx Parent Housing Network

The shelter operator that will run the facility.

Julie Menin

New York City Council Speaker representing the Upper East Side, who said the shelter would host women instead of single men as originally planned.

Department of Homeless Services

The city agency overseeing the shelter project.

401 East 60th St. Condo Board

The condo board that filed the lawsuit against the shelter, claiming it would have "potentially significant noise impacts" on their building.

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What they’re saying

“No enforceable mechanism exists to ensure the assumed noise mitigation is implemented.”

— 401 East 60th St. Condo Board (nypost.com)

“The residents of 401 East 60th Street cannot hear ambient noise inside another building that is a football field away.”

— Barry Temkin, Attorney for Bronx Parent Housing Network (nypost.com)

“This facility will bring critical shelter capacity to a council district that currently contains no traditional DHS shelters facilities, and we look forward to working collaboratively with our experienced not-for-profit provider, Housing Services of New York to support our vulnerable neighbors as they work to get back on their feet and transition to permanent housing.”

— Department of Homeless Services Spokesperson (nypost.com)

What’s next

The judge will hold an in-person hearing to further address the concerns raised by the 401 East 60th St. condo board before deciding whether to allow the shelter to open as planned.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between efforts to address homelessness and the concerns of affluent communities about the potential impacts of homeless shelters. It raises questions about how to balance providing critical shelter services with addressing legitimate concerns of local residents.