New York Metropolis has opened the nation’s first taxpayer-funded shelter only for homeless transgender individuals — blowing $63 million on what critics have ripped as “progressive political theater.”
The Queens shelter, often known as Ace’s Locations, has 150 beds for trans and gender non-conforming people with nowhere else to sleep, the Division of Social Providers introduced Tuesday, proudly touting it as “the nation’s first.”
It has a full-time psychiatrist on-site, in addition to scientific employees and social staff, officers stated. These staying there may also get perks, together with culinary and GED courses.
“New York Metropolis has lengthy been a pacesetter in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and protections, and we’re
proud to proceed that custom with the opening of the nation’s first city-funded shelter devoted
to supporting transgender people,” DHS administrator Joslyn Carter stated.
Critics, although, had been fast to tear the eye-watering $63 million it would value town by way of 2030.
“Each New Yorker ought to really feel protected in our shelter system. However as a substitute of fixing the system for everybody, town is spending $63 million to construct a separate facility based mostly on gender identification,” minority council chief Joann Ariola advised The Publish.
“That cash ought to’ve gone to hiring extra [Department of Homeless Services] law enforcement officials and social staff to make all of our services safer.”
“As a substitute, we’re simply additional segregating the homeless system and ignoring the very actual issues in favor of progressive political theater,” he added.
Town is already required to supply at the least 30 homeless shelter beds particularly for trans individuals as a part of authorized settlement reached in 2021 when town was sued for failing to guard transgender homeless individuals from harassment and discrimination.
Whereas absolutely funded by town, the brand new shelter in Lengthy Island Metropolis is being run by non-profit Vacation spot Tomorrow, getting its title from founder Sean Ebony Coleman’s late mother, who was often known as Ace, in response to Gothamist.
“Town is maintaining in keeping with what New York Metropolis has all the time been, a sanctuary metropolis, a protected haven, however extra importantly, a trendsetter with regards to LGBTQ rights,” Coleman, who recognized as trans masculine, advised the outlet.
Division of Social Providers Commissioner Molly Wasow Park hailed the brand new facility, saying the shelter could be necessary in “strengthening the security internet for transgender New Yorkers at a time when their rights are roundly beneath assault.”
“Ace’s Place will provide Transgender New Yorkers a protected place to heal and stabilize in trauma-informed settings with the help of employees who’re deeply invested of their progress and wellbeing,” she stated.
