DUE TO DETERIORATING CONDITIONS
March 5, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CLOSE BELLEVUE SHELTER DUE TO DETERIORATING CONDITIONS
Citing severe disrepair, the Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services have prepared a short-term operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate critical functions to other sites
NEW YORK — TODAY, the Mamdani Administration announced a plan to close the 30th Street Shelter, also known as Bellevue, by the end of April 2026, and relocate current inhabitants to other facilities.
Toward the end of the last Administration, new shelter sitings stopped almost entirely – and as a result, the current Administration inherited several shelter sites that had been neglected for years. One of these sites is the Bellevue shelter. Although there is no immediate danger, the site, which originally opened in 1931, is in a severe state of disrepair, and the decision to vacate the site is a proactive measure driven by safety and expert engineering guidance.
“My administration is focused on ensuring every New Yorker experiencing homelessness not only has access to shelter, but to spaces that are safe, humane and truly livable. We cannot accept a system that treats people without dignity or stability,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “As we move forward, our city will double down on protecting the safety, continuity and quality of services — because every New Yorker deserves a secure place to rest, to recover and to rebuild their life with dignity.”
The Department of Social Services (DSS) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will immediately implement an operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate the critical functions to other sites. There are approximately 250 individuals in the shelter, and the DSS is working to relocate these individuals by mid-March 2026. The City is maintaining the same level of shelter beds but transitioning services to safer facilities. Shelter intake will remain in Manhattan to ensure continuity of services. New intake for adult men will be at 8 E 3rd St, and intake for adult families, family units that don’t have any minor children, will be at 333 Bowery St. This will be effective beginning May 1st.
In addition, the City will be engaging in a large-scale communications campaign across the region to update the public on the relocation of this central intake facility. DHS will also maintain a small presence on site for at least a year after the closure to greet anyone who may come to the location for services and direct them to the new location. Direct transportation will also be available throughout the day. Simultaneously, DHS is working with partner agencies and City Hall on a long-term redevelopment plan for the site.
Mayor Mamdani is committed to opening several new, high-quality shelters and this plan is a necessary step toward safer, more dignified infrastructure that maintains shelter availability citywide.