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Sylvia's House to remain open after winning temporary restraining order
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A temporary restraining order was issued by a State Supreme Court justice on Monday to keep Sylvia's House, a homeless shelter in Buffalo, open, Neighborhood Legal Services announced Wednesday.
Sylvia's House, located at 1947 Bailey Ave., was ordered to close last Thursday after the city said it was not permitted to operate as a homeless shelter and needed an inspection. The shelter had been open for around one week and its residents took to protesting last week to voice their opposition.
'The Court found that the balance of equity tips in the favor of Sylvia's House until a full hearing can be conducted,' said Todd Schiffmacher, Neighborhood Legal Services' housing unit supervising attorney. 'The people who use the services at Sylvia's House have little to no other options to find the essential services provided at Sylvia's House. If it closes, many vulnerable people would be forced to live on the streets.'
Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon previously said the closure was due to safety concerns and activity that was 'negatively impacting the neighborhood.'
Neighborhood Legal Services said the city never inspected the site, which houses 65 people. The shelter's founder and director, Felicia Cruz, previously said she was not aware that she needed to have a permit.
Sylvia's House operates in the rectory of the New Life Harvest Church of God In Christ, which Neighborhood Legal Services said has a special use permit through the city.
A statement from Scanlon's office and Buffalo Common Council President Bryan Bollman said the residents were living in 'unsanitary conditions' and that the shelter 'illegally begun using the dilapidated former rectory' as a shelter 'unbeknownst to the city.'
Oral arguments will take place on June 27.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
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