A $500 million Upper West Side women\u2019s shelter that was supposed to come with an on-site health clinic has instead brought drug use, public nudity and daily mayhem to a block with a popular playground, furious neighbors said.<\/p>\n
The 200-bed Project Renewal shelter at 537 West 59th St. opened in May to house women grappling with addiction and serious mental illness.<\/p>\n
But locals say the facility opened without the promised clinic \u2014 leaving residents without needed care and families scared to use Gertrude Ederle Playground next door.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge problem. It\u2019s right next to a playground,\u201d neighbor Heather, who declined to give her last name, told The Post. \u201cThere are people shooting up and vomiting in the playground.\u201d<\/p>\n
A local told The Post she has seen residents wandering the area in bizarre outfits \u2014 including one woman dressed as a devil and another in a towel and ski goggles. Obtained by NY Post<\/p>\n
A teacher who asked not to be named said her school now takes the students to a playground further away to avoid the chaos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason why we haven\u2019t been coming here as often is because of the women,\u201d the teacher said. \u201cWhen you have little ones running around, it becomes unsafe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The teacher said syringes have been found in the park, and that residents have been spotted naked and sometimes seen setting up makeshift camps on the sidewalk.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously they don\u2019t get the help they deserve,\u201d she said. \u201cThese people are not just struggling financially. They\u2019re struggling mentally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heather said she has seen residents wandering the area in bizarre outfits \u2014 including one woman dressed as a devil and another in a towel and ski goggles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re getting half a billion dollars to do this, and clearly they\u2019re not providing the services they\u2019re supposed to,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Project Renewal\u2019s financial records show the nonprofit received nearly $104 million in government grants during fiscal year 2025.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, which manages the shelter contract, said the location is already providing the women with much-needed services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis recently opened site is currently equipped with clinicians, case managers, and other social services staff to address the complex needs of each client and help them on their unique path to recovery and permanent housing,\u201d the spokesperson said. <\/p>\n
Neighbor Stacy Lefton said she has seen women fighting outside Project Renewal\u2019s 59th Street Women\u2019s Shelter. Obtained by NY Post<\/p>\n
But Stacy Lefton, who has lived in the area for 17 years, said the once-quiet area has become unrecognizable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a family neighborhood,\u201d she said. \u201cI see the women fighting with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lefton said ambulances are called to the shelter sometimes as much as four times a day. Over one recent weekend, she said, a woman spent hours outside without pants or underwear.<\/p>\n
Lefton also, during a walk with her dog, watched another woman sit in the street, pull out a needle, inject herself and pass out.<\/p>\n
The 200-bed Project Renewal shelter at 537 West 59th Street opened in May to house women grappling with addiction and serious mental illness. Google Maps<\/p>\n
Lefton said shelter workers told her to call 911 when she raised concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was so scary. I ran home and called 911 and reported she needed help,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is so counterproductive,\u201d she said. \u201cThese people need to be in inpatient facilities. What they\u2019re doing here is not appropriate at all.\u201d<\/p>\n