The Lilac House, a new residence aimed at assisting formerly incarcerated women in their transition, opened in Mount Vernon on Monday.

However, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has expressed concerns about the facility's current status. Despite the grand opening ceremony, she emphasizes that the Lilac House is not officially open and cannot operate until it obtains the necessary permits.

According to Mayor Patterson-Howard, acquiring the required licenses, application, and permit to run the facility is a lengthy process, and the Lilac House has yet to complete it.

Operated by the Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), the Lilac House's mission is to provide housing access for women who have been released from prisons and jails.

As of now, there are no residents living in the Lilac House, and the mayor warns that should anyone attempt to move in, the city would take action to shut down the facility due to its lack of compliance with regulatory requirements.