Three new Staten Island homeless shelters appear to be on the verge of opening

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A trio of Staten Island homeless shelters are seemingly on the verge of opening, but it’s unclear when they will officially start operation.

Spokespersons for the city Department of Homeless Services (DHS), which is overseen by the Department of Social Services (DSS), did not respond to requests for comment about when they expect the three shelters to open.

Visits to all three sites Friday showed they were close to completion after being announced years ago during former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.

Workers outside the largest shelter — a 200-family, five-story structure in Tompkinsville expected to house up to 500 people — could be seen putting the finishing touches on the exterior of the building. Additionally, workers were working on the ground floor, which will be commercial space.

A DHS spokesperson previously said the department expected that shelter at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Van Duzer Street to open by the end of 2023, and would be operated by WIN, a non-profit organization formerly known as Women in Need.

News of the shelter first broke in 2019 as part of de Blasio’s “Turning the Tide” initiative that promised to bring 90 new shelters to the five boroughs.

While Mayor Eric Adams has reversed course on other shelters announced by his predecessor, like two in Manhattan and another in the Bronx, he’s offered no sign of a change of heart regarding the Staten Island shelters, despite continued community pushback.

STAPLETON SHELTER

Perhaps receiving the most vocal opposition is the site in Stapleton at 119 Tompkins Ave., which is set to house 100 men within walking distance of PS 78 and I.S. 49. In addition, the Eagle Academy for the Young Men of Staten Island is housed in I.S. 49.

A DHS spokesperson previously said that the department expects the Stapleton site to be in operation as early as…