Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee questions OnPoint about neighborhood conditions
Residents described syringe litter and public drug use as OnPoint outlined its outreach work, pickup hotline and services for people using drugs.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — onpoint presentation draws concerns about neighborhood, informational update, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
At the Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee, Beltree reported 300,000 visits to OnPoint’s overdose prevention centers but had no housing placement totals available.
Syringes on sidewalks brought OnPoint’s services under closer scrutiny. At the Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee, Jason Beltree, OnPoint’s Director of Community Initiatives for Low Threshold Services, described a drop-in center for people who use drugs and face homelessness or mental health challenges. He said it aims to reduce public drug use in train stations, buildings and playgrounds. Staff connect visitors to medical care, benefits, housing assistance and treatment.
Residents described syringe litter, public drug use and dealing, and safety concerns. Beltree said OnPoint’s outreach workers collect discarded syringes and try to redirect people from areas where their presence has a greater impact, including near schools and train stations. He described a blockwatch initiative around 126th Street, Lexington, Park and Madison, and gave 718-415-3708 as the number for syringe pickup and outreach requests. Residents requested an advisory group and changes to needle distribution practices.
Questions about results remained open. Beltree said OnPoint’s overdose prevention centers had 7,500 registered users and 300,000 visits since 2021, but he did not have figures for permanent housing placements or treatment entry. He said increased funding helped expand outreach staffing from 10 to 35 workers. Members discussed syringe redemption in East Harlem; Beltree said the Department of Health runs a buyback program elsewhere. The committee chair invited written follow-up questions and expressed interest in a future visit with additional OnPoint leadership.
Informational Update: East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center (Services and Medicaid Changes)
A Medicaid change could leave many New Yorkers trying to keep their coverage. At the Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee, a representative of the East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center said new federal restrictions take effect January 1. The representative said 900,000 New Yorkers could be at risk of losing health insurance and described outreach to help people navigate the changes.
The representative said community health workers across the five boroughs would help residents understand the new rules and remain insured. Health action centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens are open to provide assistance, the representative said. The East Harlem center’s community engagement team can visit events to explain its services and offered to share contact information by email.
The Action Center on 115th Street brings several services together. Its family wellness suite offers resources for pregnant and postpartum women, including lactation support, car seats, infant CPR and safe sleep information. The representative said co-located partners include IDNYC and Public Health Solutions, which helps people sign up for health insurance.
Human Services Committee ranks FY 2028 requests
The Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee reviewed 18 district needs requests and unanimously approved its FY 2028 ratings and recommendations for full board consideration. Members removed a homeowners’ exemption outreach request and ranked proposals involving aging services, health, homelessness and other needs.
The rankings determine which requests for local services reach the full community board with committee support.
District Needs Budget Committee seeks Garvey volunteers
The Manhattan Community Board 11 (CB11) — District Needs Budget Committee announced a Saturday Marcus Garvey celebration and asked members to volunteer at a table. The chair welcomed members who wanted to attend but gave no time, location or volunteer shifts.
Members interested in helping were asked to staff a table, though the announcement provided no logistical details.
Human Services Committee shares aging conference plans
At the Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee, a member shared an invitation to help plan the Silverman Aging Conference for spring 2027. Members were encouraged to suggest topics affecting older adults; announcements at the meeting included October 21 town halls on food security and East Harlem concerns.
Residents’ concerns about food insecurity and housing could inform the conference’s early planning.
District Needs Budget Committee changes chairs
The Manhattan Community Board 11 (CB11) — District Needs Budget Committee announced that Sage stepped down as chair and Kylie Mum became chair. A member said requested draft budget materials had not reached members for review and that the committee was behind; members discussed clarifying assignments and communications.
Committee members need drafts and clear assignments to review district requests before they are finalized.
- Manhattan CB11 Human Services Committee. Multiple residents and stakeholders spoke about OnPoint and neighborhood conditions, including syringe litter, open-air drug use and dealing, safety concerns, and requests for changes such as a community advisory group and stopping certain needle distribution practices.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Manhattan Cb11 had 13 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEInformational Update: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Flu Season Reminder). A DOHMH representative reminded attendees that flu season begins in October and encouraged everyone to get a flu shot, especially ahead of holiday gatherings.
- GOVERNANCECAB Report: Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility. A CAB report was read for Henry J. Carter, covering outpatient services, outreach efforts, equipment updates, a CNA cohort, and concerns about debris and bird droppings from the Metro-North line near the parking lot.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of Agenda. The chair stated the agenda had been distributed in advance and posted online. With no objections raised by committee members, the agenda was adopted.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of Agenda (October 19, 2026). The committee reviewed the agenda for the October 19, 2026 Human Services Committee meeting and adopted it without additions or changes.
- GOVERNANCEOld Business / New Business. The chair called for old business and new business; none was raised.
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