On the evening of the 25th, the Brooklyn Community Board 12 (CB12) held a meeting to discuss the plan by the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) to establish a homeless shelter capable of accommodating 82 families with children at 5001 10th Avenue and 1016 50th Street. This project has sparked strong reactions from the local Orthodox Jewish community and has also drawn wide attention from the neighboring Chinese community along 8th Avenue.
CB12 district manager Barry Spitzer introduced the plan, which will be operated by the non-profit organization “Midway Living”. It will consist of two buildings with a total of 88 units, with 82 units for homeless families and the remaining 6 for existing residents. The facility is expected to accommodate approximately 100 adults and 200 children, with a focus on serving women and children.
DSS emphasized that the shelter is not specifically for individuals with severe mental illnesses or addictions, but rather for families in need. Priority will be given to homeless children and their families currently attending schools in the community.
The plan has faced strong opposition from some public representatives and community residents. State Assemblyman Zheng Yongjia expressed concerns over the severity of the homelessness issue but questioned the city’s location decisions, insisting on ensuring that the shelter serves only families in need within the community. State Senator Simcha Felder sent a letter to the DSS Commissioner explicitly stating his opposition.
Although not representing the area himself, State Senator Chen Xueli sent a representative to convey his opposition, citing potential impacts on the operations of nearby hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools. With a background as a retired police officer, he particularly emphasized the community’s concerns about public safety.
At the meeting, residents from the Jewish community actively voiced their concerns about the shelter’s location, management, and impact on the community. Some Chinese residents also raised questions, with one resident asking, “Why does our community suddenly need a shelter? Did DSS reach an agreement with the landlord before finding service providers?”
In response, DSS representative Chris Gonzalez explained that the selection and operation of the shelter went through a formal bidding process and that the city did not directly negotiate with landlords. The bidding process was conducted to choose service providers, and due to the lack of a shelter in the community, the city decided to establish this project based on the principle of fair distribution.
Some residents expressed worries about the impact of the shelter on the housing market. One resident stated, “Our community is already facing a housing shortage, making it difficult for young people to rent. Why add a shelter?” Another long-time resident of 5001 mentioned concerns about the sudden transformation of the building into a shelter, posing a threat to the quality of life for long-term residents.
Additionally, residents raised concerns about the safety and management of the shelter. One resident familiar with “Midway Living” questioned the organization’s track record of over 162 police complaints, raising concerns about their ability to ensure security.
Another resident questioned why the city plans to close 52 existing shelters instead of investing in them and instead establishing a new shelter in the community, impacting local children and families. They pointed out the significant number of families and children in the area and the potential disruption to their daily lives.
Another community member stressed that the area is already densely populated and urged prioritizing the rights of existing residents and ensuring the living environment remains unaffected.
Co-founder of the Chinatown CLT, a group associated with the area, Wang Di, raised questions about the shelter’s assurance of only accommodating families with children, requesting written confirmation, and inquiring about the funding sources, including how much comes from federal and state governments and from which specific grant programs.
Regarding funding concerns, the DSS representative only mentioned that the shelter’s funding comes from “various funding programs from city, state, and federal governments” but did not provide specific data.
Despite most community members expressing concerns about security and resource allocation, there are still a few residents who support the project on humanitarian grounds. A community board member shared experiences from a similar facility in the Kensington area, stating that families within the shelter were mostly good citizens and did not have any negative impact on the community.