Staten Island is down a homeless shelter despite a growing need for more beds and resources to help people get back on their feet. NY1's Van Tieu spoke to Project Hospitality's' executive director about the challenges ahead.
Letters overflow from a mailbox, a sign that the house at 32 Brownell Street in Stapleton has been vacant since the end of June.
It used to be "Neighborhood Homes," a 12-bed adult homeless shelter for recovering addicts.
But the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) did not renew its contract.
"This provided a last step for people as the reentered out community. And we've lost that valuable piece of the puzzle," said Reverend Terry Troia, the executive director of Project Hospitality.
Project Hospitality operates city-run shelters on Staten Island.
Troia says that even though 75 percent of residents at "Neighborhood Homes" were successful finding jobs and a housing post-program, the shelter's contract wasn't renewed because the program was apartment-based.
"Our setting in an apartment in the community was no longer acceptable to city standards of how to provide shelter for single homeless people," Troia said.
With "Neighborhood Homes" now shut down, Troia says Staten Island is the only borough in the city without beds designated for homeless adults recovering from addiction.
The closure also comes at a time when there is growing demand for homeless services.
According to the DHS, there are about 100 more Staten Islanders in need since mid-April.
Yet, Troia says Project Hospitality's network has lost about 60 beds in six months.
"To lose these beds, I think, really hurts our ability to help people in the process towards full recovery," Troia said.
Troia says the organization is reaching out to hospitals, churches, and other local businesses to find a building that would meet the city's new rules to house a homeless shelter.