Council Member Susan Zhuang and Assembly Member William Colton pictured with protesters ahead of the March 16 rally.
Photo courtesy of William Colton’s District Office
Gravesend residents and local politicians rallied again on Saturday in opposition to a proposed homeless shelter in the neighborhood, with hundreds of residents turning out to protest.
Led by Assembly Member William Colton and Council Member Susan Zhuang, protestors flooded the street outside of 2501 86th St. during the rally to protest the opening of a homeless facility at the corner of 25th Avenue, proclaiming that the shelter will be a public safety issue that will impact local residents’ quality of life.
“Help the Homeless by Creating Jobs Not Building Shelters,” and “Children’s Safety First! No Homeless Shelter,” some of the signs seen marching down 86th Street read.
“This is the largest gathering I think the neighborhood has seen in many, many years,” Colton told Saturday’s crowd. “We are here to say in one clear voice to all our government officials – no more homeless shelters! Homeless shelters are not the solution. The solution is permanent affordable housing. The solution is services. Homeless shelters are an obstacle to that. They use millions and billions of dollars that could be used for the real solution.”
The facility, which is planned to be operated by Bronx-based VIP Community Services, is being developed by 86th Street NY LLC, and could house up to 150 single men experiencing homelessness, including those experiencing mental health challenges.
The City’s Department of Social Services anticipates that the shelter will open in the last quarter of 2024.
The shelter is slated to provide on-site services ranging from case management, individual and group counseling, permanency planning and housing placement assistance, on-site medical, support groups, independent living and life skills workshops, and supports in finding and…
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