A recently opened women's shelter on the Upper West Side has become a source of significant resident distress, with complaints of public drug use, nudity, and disruptive behavior occurring in proximity to a popular playground. The 200-bed Project Renewal shelter, located at 537 West 59th Street, opened in May and is intended to house women facing addiction and serious mental illness.
Neighbors report that the facility opened without an on-site health clinic, which was part of the original plan. This absence has led to concerns about adequate care for residents and safety for families using the adjacent Gertrude Ederle Playground. "It's a huge problem. It's right next to a playground," one resident, who asked to be identified only as Heather, told The Post. "There are people shooting up and vomiting in the playground."
A teacher, who requested anonymity, stated that her school now transports students to a different playground to avoid the issues. "When you have little ones running around, it becomes unsafe," the teacher said, noting that syringes have been found in the park and residents have been observed naked or setting up makeshift camps on sidewalks.
Residents have also reported witnessing erratic behavior, including one woman dressed as a devil and another in a towel and ski goggles. "They're getting half a billion dollars to do this, and clearly they're not providing the services they're supposed to," Heather said.
According to Project Renewal's financial records, the nonprofit received nearly $104 million in government grants in fiscal year 2025. A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, which manages the shelter contract, asserted that the site is providing essential services. "This 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," the spokesperson stated.
However, Stacy Lefton, a 17-year resident, described the area as having become unrecognizable. "This is a family neighborhood," she said. "I see the women fighting with each other." Lefton reported that ambulances are sometimes called to the shelter up to four times daily. She also recounted an incident where a woman spent hours outside the shelter without clothing and another instance of a woman injecting herself with a needle in the street before passing out. Lefton stated that shelter staff advised her to call 911 when she raised her concerns.
City Councilwoman Gale Brewer confirmed that her office has received numerous complaints. She recently met with Project Renewal and the Department of Social Services to discuss the issues, including the possibility of adjusting the shelter's population. "I was not supportive of this, but we're trying to deal with it," Brewer said, adding that she is seeking information on when the promised clinic will open. "It's not open, and that's a problem. I have yet to get a date."
Project Renewal's original plans included a 1,500-square-foot clinic offering primary care, behavioral health services, and other treatments. The Department of Social Services spokesperson indicated that the clinic is awaiting government approvals. A representative for Project Renewal did not respond to a request for comment from The Post. The group Friends of Ederle Playground previously asked the city Department of Investigation in 2023 to probe the $500 million, 40-year contract awarded to Project Renewal during the final months of the de Blasio administration.