Mayor de Blasio visited a Salvation Army shelter Friday to meet with those left homeless or displaced after the explosion that rocked East Harlem, saying the city is working on getting roofs back over people’s heads.
“Walking through this shelter, we talked with so many people who a grappling with the absolute dislocation of their lives,” de Blasio said at a press conference following the visit.
“They’ve been through the unspeakable. They don’t have a home anymore, they don’t have possessions any more. But they were still counting their blessings that their children were safe.”
The mayor explained that approximately 55 families including over 100 people are currently being housed at the Salvation Army shelter on East 125th Street and Third Avenue.
The mayor added that the city will begin moving people into temporary housing within the next 24 hours, explaining that families with young children will be given top priority.
The homeless and displaced will be moved into apartments available through the Department of Homeless Services, which has more than 50 apartments available in privately run buildings.
Those who will need housing for the next several months will be yet more apartments provided by the Real Estate Board of New York, while those in need of permanent housing can receive an apartment provided by the New York State Association for Affordable Housing.
De Blasio said despite the struggle of the displaced and homeless, many were out working and going about their lives.
“They’ve lost their home, and they’ve gone through such an upheaval and yet they’re going about their work life because they don’t have a choice,” the mayor said.
Flanked by his wife Chirlane and City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the mayor made his way around the shelter to offer some comfort the victims.
“”Please help me, we have nowhere to go,” begged a woman named Aisha Watts, before being warmly embraced by Chirlane as she cried.
The woman explained that she had been ordered to evacuate from her building, which is right next to where the explosion happened.
“Your children are safe?” the mayor asked. “We’re working on quickly getting places for everyone.”
Another woman named Lisa Connaugh, 45, told de Blasio that her home was badly damaged, but she is still thankful for what she still has.
“I have this jacket on, I still smell like smoke, but I was cold,” she said, breaking into tears. “”I thank God I’m alive.”