Lele Yau at the 46th Street train station (Photo: QueensPost)
Feb. 22, 2022 By Christian Murray
Surrounded by shopping carts, clothes and mountains of other belongings, Lele Yau has become a fixture under the 46th Street subway station.
To some, she’s an eyesore— to Yau she is just going about her daily routine trying to survive.
“I don’t bother anyone, and no one bothers me,” Yau said, who is one of several homeless people living under the 46th Street train station in Sunnyside.
Yau, 69, is particularly visible given the amount of personal property she has.
She is often seen sitting on a patio chair, sitting alongside as many as 10 shopping carts stuffed with items, including bags of clothes, blankets, comforters, and furniture. She also has plants and a collection of bottles—as well as a broom that she uses to sweep her area.
She said she spends most of her time during the day at the station reading books and newspapers. On cold nights, she moves over by the Key Food on 46th Street and sleeps against the wall because the area is more sheltered. She has several blankets and comforters—most of which have been donated by residents– and creates a makeshift bed.
“It’s warmer and I feel safer,” Yau said, adding that the owners of the supermarket have given her permission to sleep by the wall where it is more sheltered from the cold wind.
She said that on cold days she wears six layers of clothes. She gets changed at Noonan Playground on 43rd Street and uses its bathroom facilities when open. “I’m very quick in there. Very quick,” she says.
Yau said she has been living under the 46th Street station for approximately two years and prior to being homeless was a longtime resident of Sunnyside.
She said that she had lived in an apartment with her mother on Skillman Avenue for 35 years until her mother died 3 years ago. Soon after, she said, the owner of the apartment wanted the unit for his children.
She said she had no immediate family to turn to.
“I never got married and don’t have children,” she said. However, she did say that she has relatives in the area—although she is not on good terms with them.
Yau, a U.S. citizen who is from Hong Kong, used to work in the fashion district in Manhattan drawing patterns for clothing designers. She hasn’t worked for many years and said that she was not getting social security.
The idea of going to a homeless shelter does not appeal to Yau—since she fears losing her belongings. She said that she wouldn’t be able to take her property inside the shelter and is not prepared to part from it.
Yau said that she is one of five homeless people living under the 46th Street station. She is one of three who live on the western side of the station—toward 45th Street.
She said that it used to be her and one other man on the western side until three months ago. A new resident has arrived who has a mattress and lies in the corner. “I talk to him, he is nice.”
But Yau said that she is not on speaking terms with the other man who has been at the station a long time.
“He was in the hospital for months but came back. I was surprised,” she said.
Yau said that she rarely goes hungry largely due to the generosity of Sunnysiders.
“A lady today gave me $5,” Yau said Friday. “Some days people give me $20.”
She said that hot food is hard to come by—and she enjoys hot soup. “So far I haven’t gone hungry.”
Yau said that nobody has forced her to leave—nor has attempted to take her belongings.
She said that the police have approached her a few times and told her to leave but have never taken steps to physically kick her out. “I tell them that I don’t bother anyone, and they leave me alone.”
But Yau is nervous that she may soon get booted out, given the changing mood of New York City and its attitude toward the homeless—particularly in and around subways.
“I’m starting to get worried. I think this year might be different.”
Lele’s belongings below the 46th St station (Photo: QueensPost)
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138 Comments
I did not see Lele at the station today
What happened to her
Lele is No longer there. I Hope she’s been Relocated to a Safe and Better Place!
She moved to Northern Blvd near 42nd Street. She left soon after that guy she doesn’t like came back to 46th.
I worry more about her because it’s so isolated on Northern. Especially on freezing nights like tonight.
Invite her to live in your home since your so concerned.
Sunnyside Shines says that they can’t schedule public events because Lele and her friends are occupying the area. That’s the answer to Lele who says that she’s not bothering anybody. She and her friends are a blight on the neighborhood. The last time that I was there the guy in the mattress was in his cell phone.
This is one of the most important issues of all. Sunnyside cannot hold public events because she’s here and it is not appropriate. When others notice the attention she’s getting, those others will start moving in and no one will do anything. This is not a cute fad that many are reacting to.
I wonder if Lele reads all these comments on her phone or at the library. We support you and love you Lele. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!
Historically, vagrancy laws made it a crime for a person to wander from place to place without visible means of support. Basically, these laws criminalized being homeless and jobless. Historically, vagrancy laws made it a crime for a person to wander from place to place without visible means of support.
It’s just insane that anyone would consider this ok. She needs to be with family or cared for at a city or state institution. That area on QB is crawling with rats. I’m seeing other homeless people there as well. This is how the problem in cities like LA and San Fran started and now there are overrun with this and the cities streets are covered with human feces and other filth.
Lele stay strong. We love you. You have the right to live under the el with all your garbage if you want!
“She likes ice cream ‘
Some of the commentators here need their heads examined with their condescending attitudes towards someone with mental health issues
People die from exposure and disease and this has been going on for too long
Next up
Interview and photo op with the change guy
Let’s get to know Larry !
He likes sports illustrated !
Maybe you can interview Larry and write a “Letter to the Editor.” I have read many on SSP from locals. Would be nice if SSP or someone also updated us on Lele.
Update: She’s still there.
Happy?
I pray she is getting more respect and financial support from locals and people visiting our welcoming neighborhood.
Sorry, but instead of sitting around and reading books and papers, you should try to get yourself a job. Maybe you can rent a room in a private home. It’ll be a better place for you than living in the streets.
She is 69 yrs old! She needs help.
She is 69 years old.
Yes, Lele doesn’t harass anyone—and she’s deserving of compassion and respect. But her languishing on the street for years is not compassion.
The train of carts is not rational. There’s obviously some barriers—mental health for one—keeping Lele from taking advantage of outreach and assistance. Though, even with benefits or safety-net support, I imagine Lele would struggle with activities of daily life and self-sufficiency.
The system is flawed. Homelessness is not “just” a housing issue. There is a confluence of problems with housing, mental health, substance abuse—and routing state parolees into city shelters—all contributing to our crisis with homelessness. And by the way: government and nonprofit waste (to the tune of billions of dollars every year) is exacerbating all of it.
This is one of modern society’s hard problems. The complexity demands a holistic approach to improve outcomes. Ultimately, the vulnerable need to be routed to where they can get the best help for their unique situations.
It is not good for anyone to pretend that the Sunnyside viaduct is a 4,000-foot homeless shelter because some vulnerable people are incapable of taking advantage of the resources that are available. And that should bother people.
Well said. It’s all so complicated. Housing First has been shown to work — I wish the city/state would launch a massive effort to make it happen.
I’ve had it with the 46th Street sideshow. Those of us who live here and pay property taxes have rights also. Social services needs to be active. Is our new city council woman hiding under her desk? The sight and the stench are too much. I can’t believe that Van Bramer thought this was acceptable.
This is the perfect example of priorities in the community. Literally the first thing you see when you get off the subway and visit Sunnyside. Meanwhile there is that ludicrous uber expensive re-routing of traffic in Sunnyside Gardens right by Van Bremer’s house. NYC is now officially San Francisco East. Piss, dogshit and homeless everywhere.
I see her almost everyday…yes, she doesn’t bother anyone! And the man livi g on the mattress never ask for ANYTHING! However, She is accumulating more & more, and that may eventually become an eye sore… WHY doesn’t she receive social security, or, AS I, OR AT LEAST FOOD STAMPS? A SUNNYSIDE RESIDENT. I WISH FOR ALL THE HOMELESS TO RECEIVE COMPASSION…
All a result of systematic racism in this city. We need to do more to help people of color. Shame on us.
What color do you consider Lele?
I hope she does get real help from soon. She’s probably been homeless for over 10 years! I used to see her with a big cart at Wendy’s back then. She is not pestering anyone but our local leaders are not trying to improve her situation in any way.
There was a robbery under the el next to the 46th street station. The citizen app showed a video that had all of Lele’s garbage in it. This is probably the biggest week of her life! A hundred people read the ssp article on her.
Hello editors. It’s me Sunnysider. I left a comment in a different article that I won’t be back because you didn’t publish my comment on this lady. I’m the person that commented you will have one less person to traffic on this website. I really appreciate that you interviewed her. I’m one of the Sunnysiders that cares about this lady. She’s really sweet. I don’t have much to give, but when I do give her some change (e.g. $1-$5) she’s always so appreciative of it. I’m so glad that she’s doing well. I haven’t seen her for a couple of days and was concerned. Thank you for doing this. Yes, she doesn’t bother anyone so the harrassment against this lady needs to stop.
Why doesn’t the Asian community stand up and help Lele?
Trying to instigate “anti Asian gate crimes’ to occur.
“I’m starting to get worried. I think this year might be different.” This statement from Lele says a lot. You would think that someone would be already worried and ok with getting help after being homeless for two years and living on the streets. Our city has turned into a dump just like San Francisco. Unfortunately the city can not just offer her a key to an apartment in Sunnyside and help move her stuff the same day. It just doesn’t work that way. There is a process that we all must follow. Yes she should be a priority because of her age. But it sounds like she is fine with living on the streets and is more concerned about losing her belongings and staying under the train station until someone can provide her with immediate housing and pay all her bills (i assume the last two). At least she is on city property. One landlord i know has a tenant that has not paid rent in two years and refuses to leave. The city though is not helping him kick her out as it should.
@Rosemary- I just returned from a trip to San Francisco and it’s far from a dump. The dump thing is all part of a Fox News smear campaign. Liberal San Francisco is better at business and market related matters than the so called Conservatives at Fox Entertainment and this eats Fox Entertainment up.
Impossible. I was in SF and saw with my own eyes major encampments and every weirdo one could imagine snorting, drinking, injecting, raving, defecating etc
You only saw human waste and needles if you were in the Tenderloin (SFs equivalent to the Lower East Side). https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-02/san-francisco-s-sidewalk-poop-crisis-explained
Did I go to same city ? San Francisco is a dump and I was afraid
Could not wait to leave
Yeah, people are going to pay over $1 Million Dollars for a one bedroom apartment to live in a dump. The small city that has almost the same number of billionaires as NYC (which is 16 times larger than SF) The city that has created more millionaires over the past 30 years then any other city in the country is a dump. You’ll believe anything your jealous and angry cult tells you to believe.
I have seen her around for at least the part five years– she used to hang out on 43rd street with less carts but always moving. She has been unhoused for much longer than 2 years!
She is from Sunnyside. Of course you might of seen her around. Not all people that appear homeless are homeless. She states that she has been homeless for 2 years. I know one home owner that goes around collecting the 5 cent refund bottles and cans and uses a supermarket shopping cart to store what he finds. Many think he is homeless but he is basically trying to make some money. He even helped put his kids through college by collecting bottles and cans. He is out at sunrise and comes back at sunset.
They all need help – it is sad but a huge health hazard for all of us – the area STINKS of urine and other foul odors and is filthy – sleeping by the supermarket is kind but being near food we eat – especially fresh fruits/veggies has to be a health hazard to all of us too – they need help and to be gone from there
Its good to put a name and story to a face. I feel that she has been there longer than two years. And she does exude an aura of leave me alone.
Lele yau is 69 years old and should seek help from Sunnyside community services located on 39 st in Sunnyside. She should go to the dept for the homeless and apply for social security. She could also apply for an application for new York city housing authority project apt. She is a sr citizen and should seek help. As she gets older, she will suffer more physical and mental health issues. Someone should refer her to some Asian organization in flushing if possible. Sooner or later, the other residences of Sunnyside will be tired of her and say she is ruining the neighborhood.
should seek help from Sunnyside cm
I would always see this woman when i got my hair and nails done and cross the blvd. I hope she enjoyed the nice spring weather we had today.
That is sweet Carol.
I believe the police have the right to make her go to a shelter..un cold weather…why won’t tbey step in.
Excellent point. But for now the mayor only cares about getting homeless off the subways so he can say he reduced crime on the subway and that everyone needs to go back to the office and beg tourists to visit Manhattan. All the homeless will end up living in western queens because our local leaders and voters do not mind them on the street or on nearby shelters.
How can she find a place to live apartments are outta control and in some places they don’t even include bulletproof vests
Haha Jay, if you can’t afford one place then move to a place you can afford. Nobody said you had to live in NYC.
I see her all the time… my heart breaks for her… I have never seen her have a problem with anyone… I wish she could have a small studio or room… it’s sad
I’m progressive and left-leaning as they come but even I don’t think she should just be “left alone”. This woman clearly needs help/services to help her secure some kind of shelter, asap. I can’t imagine how any progressive thinks it’s humane to just leave her on the streets. Also, while it’s true she doesn’t bother anyone, she’s attracting several other homeless people into that area and eventually we’ll get some some that aren’t so nice.
People love to point that blame at progressives or conservatives, when really we should all be uniting to collectively demand that this city provide adequate services to these people.
“Uniting?” Nothing to do with homelessness and mental health.
Walk up to each of the three people, shake their hand and give each twenty bucks once a week.
Great idea. Problem solved.
Giving them 20 bucks will not help them at all. Giving them handouts like that will only keep them homeless. Why work if you are going to get 20 bucks from people everyday. She chooses to be homeless still its a lot easier. you don’t have to worry about food or money or taxes.
Very sad story. I have seen her belongings but had not actually seen her until this photo was posted. I hope this article will draw the attention of someone who is in a position to help her.
She qualified for social security 3 yrs ago. At 65 or 66 before she was evicted. She cld of also got SS at 62 with SSI if she qualified. Something doesn’t sound right about her story or she is mentally unstable. Wake up people!
Actually Lou she qualified at 62. You can look it up.
where would they mail the check?
Based on the comments here, there are a lot of psychiatrists and social workers deciding what to do with someone else’s life. She is in a tough situation. You can’t get SS benefits if you don’t have an address. None of this is as easy as you think. And for all the rude ppl hiding behind their computers spewing ignorant comments, just stop. You are adding to the mental illness and homelessness stigma that exists.
Gee Mr. or Mrs. Know it All:
You seem to be hiding behind your computer. Let’s leave it up to you and do nothing. Let her just stay there and do nothing. I’m sure everyone who has written in would like to see Le Le helped. What’s your solution since you seem to be so brilliant.
Why wasn’t the guy lying on the mattress interviewed also. I’m sure that he has quite a story to tell. Maybe he needs to acquire sone more garbage to get publicity.
Being homeless is not a crime!! Just leave het alone.
You think she should be left alone instead of the city stepping in to help her secure some shelter? You’re as cold hearted as the conservatives on the other end of the spectrum.
Another genius here. Homelessness is not a crime but loitering and creating a health situation is.
Being homeless means you’re a vagrant and vagrancy is a crime. Living under the el is another crime.
funny how the media run stories like this when the mayor and police step in to try and clean up the streets and subways of the homeless situation in nyc. where was SSP when she became homeless and living in Sunnyside for two years. there have been numerous complaints about the homeless situation increasing and it was just ignored until people started moving out of nyc and tourists stop coming. i have dealt with relatives on the verge of eviction, homeless and tried to help them. Sometimes things are not as they seem and some know how to talk to authorities and someone trying to run a story to make themselves seem like that are not a nuisance to others and sound like a victim. its part of not facing reality and placing blame on others. There are people out there that hoarder not only belonging’s but cash or refuse to pay for food and shelter. They choose to live on the street until something is offered to them for free. How can someone not get social security benefits if they qualify and choose to live on the streets unless they are lying or have mental issues and can not function in society. If the public hand outs stop then it becomes a struggle and they get the help they deserve. Buying a meal is ok but I would never hand out money to a homeless person.
You don’t know her history. She didn’t choose to be homeless-it happened to her. Didn’t you read the article, fool? She lived with her mother until her mother passed away. For all we know she could have been sheltered all her life. Her mother could have supported her financially. That means Lele may have never made income therefore can’t apply for ss benefits.
Based on what the article mentioned..”Yau, a U.S. citizen who is from Hong Kong, used to work in the fashion district in Manhattan drawing patterns for clothing designers. She hasn’t worked for many years and said that she was not get social security.”
I once knew a homeless person that lived off the kindness of strangers in Astoria on Ditmars until gentrification occured and long-term residents and families move out. The handouts including money had stopped and the homeless man was forced to seek for help. He now lives in senior housing in Astoria. I read that in an article and he even has his own social media accounts now.
At the end of the day we need social service, mental health and law enforcement professionals to get these people off the streets and subways.
I pray she gets the help she needs. To me the loss of a loved one and having no support can sometimes have devastating effects for people. She could of applied for assistance after her mom passed away and was facing eviction. It appears that this woman can not see how dangerous and unhealthy her situation is. Feeling that she is not bothering anyone by living on the streets, relying on the kindest of strangers and chosing her belongings over starting the housing process and aid leads me to believe that something ain’t right. Not all mental illness is obvious and on the surface. I would not want a homeless person living in front of my house. Maybe one of you commenters who think she should not be forced to go to a homeless shelter and start the housing and aid process can take her and her belongings in and provide shelter, food and health for her.
Either Social Security or Hong Kong are financially responsible for this unfortunate soul. This woman has a hoarding issue. That in itself is mental sickness. Living under the subway el is unsanitary regardless of how nice this woman is. She needs to be removed and assigned a social worker.
The 800-lb gorilla in the room is this question: Why haven’t you written a puff piece about the illustrious character who has lived on the sidewalk directly across from the station around Parrot for at least 10 years, Mr. ‘CHANGE’? Or wouldn’t he make good copy?
I have seen Mr. Change around for more than a decade. I would most certainly like to read an article about him.
I think you are referring to Larry. If you’re so curious you can talk to him, he is still a human being
I don’t think you will get much out of Larry.
Think it was a good idea to tell people where she changes?
All the woke people are so self righteous that they don’t realize they are being condescending to this woman, treating her like a stray cat. They give her a couple of bucks or scraps and then congratulate themselves for their kindness. But if she was in the lobby of their building, how would they react?
I have pity for this woman but she needs to be moved into a shelter or hospital.
All of the self righteous woke people posting here would change their tune if she were camped in front of their homes. How about we set her up at the Sunnyside gardens park? Yeah, over in the sand pit. She how they like that. Such hypocrites.
Ok so she’s nice and like your grandma so she can stay with all her stuff.
Is that our reasoning now?
But what about the creepy mattress guy 5 feet away?
What if everyone has a massive encampment?
They should be in a facility where they can live, not out on the street
The city has places they can go to be warm.
I saw a crazy homeless guy pants down wackin his weed in the giant mall street mirror Herald Square, people just walked 15 feet around him like it was nothing. At one point is this stuff not acceptable?
I will soon become homeless
I think that was a really nicely written article, and I appreciate it, but the comments here are going to be horrific. I hope she never sees them.
I hope the city can help her find a place and receive the Social Security that she earned and deserves. That’s her money.
I’m very attached to my stuff too, so I understand how she doesn’t want to give it all up.
While a homeless encampment isn’t an ideal situation for any neighborhood residents, I hope bear in mind that it’s much worse for the homeless people.
No duh it’s worse for her. Which is why getting her into a shelter or some kind of housing is a win/win for everyone. The city is failing her and the neighborhood.
Lol she’s famous now
I am transplants will line up for selfies. Wld also make a good photo op for one of our local politicians.
The homelessness has gotten way out of hand in the area. I feel bad for them but seriously these non profit groups can’t sit with these homeless and help with paperwork for Section 8 or Social Security or some kind of government assistance. Maybe JVB office can help or have Mayor Adams come for another photo op! Oh wait the savior AOC can clean it up.
They are ALL TALK and not one politician is going to actually do anything to help!
JVB and his office just blame others for the homeless problem.
I was told point blank that because of people like me we have a homeless problem. This was after I complained about “Change” peeing and shitting under the 7. Ever since then I have loathed JVB and his people. Never once did he care to make this right. He was in politics all for himself.
I complained to Sunnyside Shines about Le Le and Ms. Bean angrily told me that she has rights also.
the only thing AOC will clean up is the city’s bank accounts, our tax dollars. look at how well she’s deflecting the issues at hand? so shady.
A woman with untreated mental illness lives next to a pile of garbage under the subway tracks. Greatest city in the world! Show me one other developed nation where this happens.
Homelessness happens in every developed nation. It isn’t a problem that any country should ignore.
We also have zero idea about her mental health issues, if any. She used to work, she has normal conversations, she doesn’t pester people. Do you want people making assumptions about your mental health?
Table 3.29,DSM-5: Hoarding Disorder
You are making assumptions about her mental health.
I’m making assumptions about your naivety and voting record, which are likely to be true.
It doesn’t take a psychiatry degree to see that anyone living on the street with all that garbage has some issues. Granted, she’s almost 70 with no money and no support but there is obviously a problem. Who knows if her story about the landlord throwing her out is true.
Can have mental issues.
She is a hoarder, pure and simple.
greatest city? you’ve got super low standards. nyc is the exact opposite of a great city. this city is only good for one thing, generating wealth and getting out.
What other developed nations have you visited? Do you consider Italy, France, the UK or Canada developed nations.
It’s so sad. People feel the homeless are an eyesore, but in these tough times, they are just trying to survive with dignity. Leave them alone. As Yau says, they aren’t hurting anyone. Put yourself in their place, it could happen!
People like you are the reason these people exist. She needs help. It is inhumane to allow her to live on the streets and unfair to everyone else in Sunnyside to have to see that everyday. Why don’t we allow all the homeless in NYC to live under the el. Yeh, real brilliant quoting a woman who lives like that saying she’s not bothering anybody. Again, it’s people like you in this city who cause these problems.
She’s not left alone as she claims. I saw another homeless guy – the “change” guy – asking her for money and she gave it to him.
If she was “trying to survive with dignity”, she wouldn’t be choosing her possessions (half of which is junk, such as bottles and newspapers) over a shelter.
It’s a huge step in the right direction just giving people a name to the person they see everyday in that situation. Makes her harder to ignore.
Not that it’s her fault but since she setup camp more have moved in and while she can be the nicest person in the world, others unfortunately are not. Stores are robbed regularly, packages I’ve ordered have been stolen for the first time in over a decade of living here(this could be totally coincidence), and I agree most people are good people. But this doesn’t change that people should not be living under the train and from what I remember, that area was cleaned up by Sunnyside Shines to be used.
I have noticed a change in Sunnyside, lots of new faces. I have have packages stolen from our lobby, there is garbage everywhere and a crazy amount of dog poop. It’s like people don’t care.
She doesnt steal your packages though.
Apparently she’s getting packages from somewhere.
Her presence and the presence of all her junk are a safety and health hazard and the not doing anything about it is encouraging other people to do likewise. She may be the “nicest person in the world” but she needs to be brought in by social services for an evaluation. I am sick of all the sociology majors who are advocating for her to stay put. This is why NYC is going to hell.
Feeling very sad. Is there any way I can help a little bit?
That’s nice. You want to help. But just a little bit. It’s good to set limits.
Haha that’s funny. A little bit. Just enough so you won’t feel sad.
yeah let her move in with you! and make sure she can keep all her stuff
Poor woman. I hope someone with deep pockets can help her find and pay for a place to live in Sunnyside if she wants it.
Now that we’ve met Lele can someone please help her and get her and her friends out if there. If she is a US citizen and worked why can’t she get social security?
Social security and even section 8 to help with rent.
As expected Lele’s story is getting citywide publicity. Good job ssp. She will soon get the help she needs and not be allowed to live like an animal because of all these liberal progressives who’s tolerant attitudes have caused all the problems in this and other cities around the country. We are asking to help her not just tell her to move on. She and her fellow homeless people do not belong there. It is unfair to her and everyone in this neighborhood who has to go by there everyday. The woman who quotes her saying that she is not bothering anyone is foolish.
Maybe she worked jobs that were off-the-books her entire life and isn’t eligible for SS?
I have a feeling there’s more to her story and why she ended up homeless that we don’t know about.
Thank you for writing this article. I got to know her in the fall of 2020. I spent a lot of time talking to her. She’s very sweet and kind. I’ve given her money here and there and some masks. I don’t talk to her much now but I see her everyday when I head to the subway. I always wished she could find a place to live but I didn’t know how to help.
Hey Becky. Surprised you didn’t think of this idea yet, but she could live with you.
I know how you can help: demand that city officials do more to help the homeless in our city. It’s not up to us to help these people, the onus falls on the city and right now the only “solution” the city seems to have is to shuffle these people around from one place to another without providing an actual solution and stable housing.
This story is nice and all, but city officials should be helping people like Ms. Lele get back on her feet so she doesn’t have to live outside in the streets which can be dangerous for herself. She seems like a nice lady, but the city should offer her not just a shelter but a pathway to get homeless people like her back on their feet with basic jobs such as cleaning the sidewalks or picking up trash on the streets for the city. Come on, Adams. ?
She realized that its easier to live on the streets. She doesn’t have to worry about paying rent, pay any taxes, or have to worry about a land lord telling her what she can or can not do in her apartment. She given food and clothes so she doesn’t have to worry about money. That’s why a lot of people choose to continue to live on the streets
Nice job planning for retirement Lele.
Just unbelievable! What do you mean you don’t bother anybody? You’re bothering me! You and your friend on the mattress are creating a health hazard. You stink. They used to have all kinds of events under the station. Now they can’t because of Lele! She needs to go. Get her an apartment somewhere.
I met her 2 years ago, gave her boots. Yes, she is nice but we should not normalize her homelessness or the other homeless people living there. It is unsanitary and it smells, essentially it possess a threat to public health. There are resources for her and we should not have a herd mentality and conform to the idea that it ok or that someone else will do something. Thank you for weighing the article, many of us already know her. Now use your platform and direct the right person or agency to her.
How come Jimmy Van Bramer did not help her ?
With a storybook in her hands.
Jimmy van bramer was too busy marching over the bridge during his silly photo ops and screaming to defund the police to actually call social services and ask them to move in
These homeless camps are a danger and an eye sore
I think they should be set up
On Jimmy’s street in Sunnyside gardens
We will see how quickly he reacts
it never fitted JVB’s adgenda when it comes to this he was told time and time again and he just ignored everything –
“I don’t bother anyone.” Wrong: this lady has taken over the space below the subway which used to be used for performances. She is a danger to herself. Yes, she needs help: you cannot live in the streets, or in the subways. And she possibly may need to be medicated. This is how dangerous COMPASSIONCIDE has become. I am very sorry for homeless people, especially our veterans who need special attention. Ms. Yau needs help. Those of us who live here have rights also and this situation is not good for her or us. The author of this article treats her like she is someone in a museum : “Meet Lele.”.
So she got relatives in area but not on speaking terms ? Too bad she doesn’t make amends with relatives and she can stay with them if she doesn’t want to go shelter. She can Social Security
for the years she worked. So why she not ??
She doesn’t belong there !
Are you privy to the details of what caused the fallout with her relatives? Maybe they need to make amends to her. You don’t know so don’t judge!
Reply : not surprised
What are family for ?
You going to tell me that not even one relative member has any
feelings to help ? I dont the details but Family is Family .I wasn’t judging I made a comment based on her story that she got relatives !!!
Lele’s relatives are under no legal obligation to help her, regardless of your moral stance. She needs a social worker asap to figure out what benefits she’s eligible for.
LB – Im just saying that he relatives could help her out til she gets on her feet. I don’t know why her family is not talking to her but they dont see how she is living if they’re in area .
So all her relatives just ganged up on her ?
Will your family turns their back on you when you need help
This is a very nice piece and a great reminder that not all homeless people are nuts or violent. God bless her. I hope they let her stay. Even better-I hope she’s able to get on her feet again.
Maybe some of these sweet people who feel sorry for her would like to take her in. She doesn’t belong there. It is a ridiculous situation.
She’s not nuts? She is living outdoors in winter with a ton of junk surrounding her
Wow! Thank you for writing about this person. A fascinating story there. I learned something about a neighbor. What should we do with and for people like this? I admit, I’m stumped. I’d suggest sharing with your local electeds–though that might get her kicked out. What a dilemma.
Thanks for this report. I’ve always wondered about her.
This comment section about to be lit
Where Is AOC? Step up for your district and do something during your term that makes you credible