Briarwood Residence — Local services in New York

Out dated facility but it provides comfortable accommodations nothing fancy. Located in a decent area in Queens, thank goodness During the summer months, you are albe to have fans, no ac. They provide you with so.e essentials like pots and dishes, mop / broom, sheets for your cots. They have inspections here. Facility is for family's with children. Provide on site Medical staff, HRA staff, Job Developer, and housing assistance. There is a curfew as with most shelters. Weekend passes are subject to approval ( summer heat waves ) being one But, should you ask for a weekend pass it has to be asked in advance and (IF) its approved be in the facility before curfew. This place is operated by a majority of Black people, few hispanics, and even lesser whites Security staff are likable and social, except for 1 or 2 Children have an after school area to go to should they need it No laundry in this facility, but laundromat within walking distance There's a food pantry should you need. Referrals to medical outside the facility should you need. Carfare is an issue, which I don't understand when the state provides this facility with metros for it's inhabitants, should you need If your PA case is active and you are receiving carfare then of course no metros. But, until that is coming on your ebt, you should receive carfare if you so need it. There are things here that come to mind that are not addressed, or dealt with, but I mine my own. With a watchful eye and a listening ear. Will be out of here soon. Lived her for 1 yr. & a few months...moved recently to my new apartment This place will ONLY HELP WITH WHAT IS THEIR JOB is TO DO....nothing more But, you as a resident HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS....so make sure you handle your own affairs, don't give this facility a reason to put your family at the bottom of the list, sort of speaking..... Good Luck...

The 4 stars is mainly for some of the staff & the way residents come together to help each other. Not only are we the watchers of each other's children but we look out for one another. The administration is full of bullies who don't have a clue about being homeless & in need of help. The director uses intimidation & scare tactics to motivate residents to go out & find a place to live. They're clueless about how the real world works & don't have a clue what the residen really endure while there. As of right now, there's a bully, in administration who uses fear & intimidation as a tactic to make residents leave regardless of what may happen to them. This individual has been known to tell several residents that they've becomes too comfortable & she may relocate them to a facility where they wouldn't be so comfortable. She's willing to risk having single mothers & their children end up on the streets than offer the proper assistance. Not everyone at this location wants a handout. Disabled people are asked to work 30 hour or more per week to qualify for a voucher which can be obtained by their disability alone. She's manipulative, retaliatory, compulsive liar & takes no responsibility for her behind the scenes behavior. She's not to be trusted. I learned that lesson the hard way after defending her for a long time. I'm done doing that because it's not deserved. My ultimate goal is to get out of here & pray for all who are still getting shafted by her. She picks & chooses whom to help & why. There are many ppl whispering in her ear beyond their own insecurities.

Believe me, some of the staff is amazing, however their leader leaves a lot...

My spouse, daughter and I moved in to the shelter August 21st, 2022. We lived there for almost two years, got our voucher and moved out March 18th, 2023. The staff is amazing and the director felt like my very own personal go to for any problems we had regarding our permanent placement. Ms Robinson always had time for me and when she didn't she made time. The employee's and director at briarwood made living there worth it. The apartments are small, there are roaches but thank God we had somewhere to live. Most of the people that ran in to problems were the tenants who felt the employee's worked for them. Very demanding and disrespectful when they should be grateful they have somewhere to live. Also some people didn't like the rules and that will also cause you troubles. If you're just looking for a voucher then the shelter system wouldn't be your cup of tea. For those who truly need a place for your family, I would always recommend the shelter system. Every place is different and I'm so happy we ended up at briarwood. Thank you staff and the director for making us feel like this...