Homeless Lucerne Resident To Host Mayoral Forum

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — An Upper West Side homeless advocacy organization and several New Yorkers experiencing homelessness are set to participate in a "first-of-its-kind" mayoral candidate forum.

The UWS Open Hearts Initiative and Da Homeless Hero, both of which have become community leaders in the battle to keep homeless residents in a temporary shelter at the Upper West Side hotel, will host the forum.

Da Homeless Hero is a resident of The Lucerne hotel.

All questions to candidates will be asked by individuals experiencing homelessness.

"Join us to elevate the voices of directly impacted New Yorkers holding mayor candidates accountable, and ensuring a better approach to homelessness in the next administration," the UWS Open Hearts Initiative wrote on Twitter.

The mayoral forum will take place on Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. You can sign up for the virtual event here.

UWS Open Hearts Initiative and Da Homeless Hero are presenting a Mayoral Candidate Forum where candidates answer to the experts on homelessness: Homeless New Yorkers themselves. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/3LfJy0G9dw
— UWS Open Hearts Initiative (@UWSOpenHearts) January 24, 2021

The UWS Open Hearts Initiative told Patch that the following candidates will participate:

• Maya Wiley
• Andrew Yang
• Scott Stringer
• Shaun Donovan
• Carlos Menchaca
• Dianne Morales
• Joycelyn Taylor
• Ray McGuire
• Eric Adams
• Kathryn Garcia

The Upper West Side homeless advocacy group describes itself as "committed to supporting our neighbors in temporary shelters at The Lucerne Hotel, The Belleclaire, The Belnord, and The Park West. In our advocacy, we aim to assist shelter residents and their service providers in getting the resources they need and the care they deserve."

You can find out more about the organization here.