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| Jail-Turned-Shelter Closed to Kids During Lead Paint Investigation |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 08/26/2002 |
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In a jarring reminder of New York City's homeless problem, officials have converted a former jail in the Bronx into a temporary homeless shelter. But only days after the converted jail opened its doors, the plan hit a snag: The facility has been closed to children in the wake of claims that it is contaminated by lead-based paint. Legal Aid Society lawyers said an independent inspection firm, Environmental Consulting and Management, found high levels of lead in samples taken throughout the shelter. Lead paint can cause brain damage if ingested. Linda I. Gibbs, the city's commissioner of homeless services, issued a statement recently saying the facility would not house families with young children while the issue was investigated. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided not to allow families with children under the age of 6 to stay at the River Avenue Annex until the Health Department can conduct a thorough lead paint assessment,' the statement said. A record 8,400 homeless families are presently in the New York City shelter system. The number of families applying for help through June 30 of this year increased 25 percent compared to last year, according to the mayor's office. The city converted the Bronx facility to provide temporary shelter for homeless families. For lack of shelter space, many of them had been sleeping in the nearby offices of the city's Emergency Assistance Unit, the intake center for area homeless. |
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