Democratic Legislators to Investigate Administration's Sudden Closing of Homeless Shelter

Democratic caucus members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators expressed outrage today and announced plans to investigate why the Astorino Administration decided to close the Valhalla Residence Shelter on Hammond Road by December 31 and relocate approximately 20 homeless individuals living there to various other facilities for the homeless around the county.

The residents of the Valhalla facility, which offers specialized medical care, were given only two weeks’ notice that were going to be moved out.

While the residents are being guaranteed a bed elsewhere, there is tremendous concern about the lack of prior notice to the residents, and whether arrangements have been made for continuing specialized medical care for the residents at their new locations, wherever that may be.

The Astorino Administration’s decision to abruptly move the residents out seems to have been in the works for quite a while, however. The County’s $15.9 million contract with an agency to care for the homeless residents at new facilities was placed on the agenda of the County’s Board of Acquisition & Contract (A&C) this week and approved by County Executive Rob Astorino and County Department of Public Works and Transportation Commissioner Jay Pisco.

“Moving homeless residents who are dependent on certain medical care out of their residence, during the winter holidays and with such short notice, has to be one of the most inexplicable and mean-spirited decisions ever made by this Administration, “ said BOL Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining). “To deliberately engineer the decision at the end of the year, so as to squash any discussion on whether this policy shift even makes sense to the County financially, flies in the face of good governance as well.”

The Valhalla Residence Shelter, located on the County-owned Grasslands campus, is a transitional residence for homeless individuals and childless couples. The facility provides a spectrum of health services to the residents, including medical assessments, drug and substance dependency care and counseling, and care for developmental and learning disabilities.

Legislator Alfreda Williams (D-Greenburgh), chair of the BOL Community Services Committee, has called for an emergency meeting of the committee on MONDAY—December 22 at 11 AM to discuss with Administration officials why the decision was made to close the Valhalla homeless residence in such hasty fashion, the number of residents currently in the Valhalla facility, the breakdown regarding the individuals’ disability and medical issues, and what specialized arrangements are being made for the residents as they are being transitioned to new facilities.

“’Tis the season when, over two thousand years ago, the world’s most famous homeless couple searched in vain for decent shelter, and now we have Rob ‘The Grinch’ Astorino kicking out over a dozen of some of the county’s neediest residents from their home and moving them around the county like pieces on a board game,” said Williams. “There needs to be a proper explanation for this incomprehensible action.”

Legislator Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon), the BOL Majority Whip, suggested that the Board of Legislators enact legislation that would set standards for closure of homeless facilities run by the County. These standards would consider housing needs, economic factors and ability to establish new sites, as well as the availability of permanent housing— all after hearing from the public.

“I am in full support of transitioning individuals from temporary to permanent housing, and the County should continue to strive for those goals,” said Williams. “However, there is no credible evidence showing we are at a point where shelters are no longer needed for the most vulnerable residents of this County.”

Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains) suggested that the Administration keep the Valhalla shelter open and occupied for the time being, and work with the BOL to ensure that any future transitioning of homeless individuals be given more time and consideration. Also, proper medical care for the residents needs to be maintained.

“While I’m aware that the Valhalla shelter was meant to be a transitional facility, many of the individuals who are there have been so for quite some time,” said Boykin. “Asking them to depart to a new facility, with Christmas less than a week away, doesn’t seem charitable or humane.”

Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) suggested that the County provide the BOL with extensive documentation regarding the number of homeless individuals across the county, the number that are being housed by the County, and what affect consolidating facilities will have on local communities, some of which have seen a rise in homelessness over the past few years.

“Everyone knows that it is not easy opening a new homeless shelter, so there has to be solid justification for closing this one down, especially since it seems to have been the shelter for those needing medical care,” said Jenkins. “There may be excessive capacity at other County shelters right now, but that may be because the cold weather really hasn’t set in yet. More importantly, will the residents being moved to new shelters be able to receive the same medical care they are getting right now?”