Homes for the Homeless, Inc. runs a senior living facility called Island Shores in the borough of Staten Island. I visited the facility recently on behalf of an older friend who is ready to move to this type of facility. When the director, Lori Bowen, saw that I use a wheelchair for mobility, she refused to allow me a tour of the facility, while offering a tour to my friend, who is ambulatory. She told me that wheelchairs were not allowed at Island Shores and that, if my friend chose to live there, I would not be allowed to visit while using a wheelchair. I was appalled at the blatant discrimination, which violates both the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. Ms. Bowen was not kind in expressing her views, either, and I can only imagine how she treats the seniors who have come into the unfortunate position of living under her authority. I would not refer any friend, human or animal, to Island Shores after this experience, and I believe that funding for Homes for the Homeless should be withheld until this situation is rectified.
Review from Guidestar
