The Mainchance homeless drop-in center, the sole facility of its kind in Midtown East, has closed permanently after 35 years of operation. The center, located at 120 E. 32nd St., ceased operations at the end of Tuesday, displacing dozens of the neighborhood's most vulnerable residents.
A Manhattan Supreme Court judge had previously issued a stay until Aug. 11, but vacated the order on June 23 following an emergency appeal by the city, allowing the closure to proceed.
"The city had determined that the drop-in center is not an efficient, effective use of the city’s limited resources," the city's attorney stated in court on June 18. The city's Department of Homeless Services, which provided the center with approximately $2.8 million in annual funding, is directing clients to other social service providers.
Brady Crain, CEO and executive director of Mainchance, expressed concern for the center's clients, noting that "many of the clients don’t want to go." He reported that the center was fully operational as of last week, with 66 people staying overnight. On Monday, the center distributed its remaining pantry items, and by Tuesday midday, only staff remained.
The city aims to move homeless individuals into "safe havens," which provide beds for overnight stays and facilitate transitions to permanent housing. Mainchance had submitted a proposal to convert into a safe haven a couple of years ago, a proposal the city is reportedly still considering.
During the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, Mainchance enrolled 5,800 homeless individuals for housing placement services. The center's 72 chairs were used by over 20,000 people for overnight stays, with an additional 21,000 visitors seeking services such as meals, showers, rest, and medical and mental health support.