An infuriated Brooklyn residents are denounced the city of “feeding and switching” to replace buildings that are scheduled for affordable housing with new homeless shelters.
Hundreds of protesters, including parents, business owners and local politicians, gathered in Sheepshead Bay on Tuesday to chant “deciding” people outside the controversial lot on Coil Street.
The group said they felt fooled by city officials and raised concerns that the shelter could lead to a surge in crimes in other sleepy residential areas.
“They fooled us. They lied. And when you lied – the truth always comes out,” said Michel Krishafurrli, 71, who lives a short walk from the proposed site.
“They were caught, and we haven't let go because it won't become a shelter for the homeless. We'll never let go.
“It's getting worse for me to know when I own my property. I feel they're just stomping on my face. Do you know?
The 2134 Coyle Street lot will be open this summer as it houses 169 families and 169 families, according to city hall.
The site has been looking at it for years as an affordable housing project, and in 2022 the city council honed it as a complex use development with 119 homes and first floor retail space.
However, these plans shifted the following year when the original developer deleted the project.
Non-profit developer Westhab has created and created a plan to create the first long-term homeless shelter in the city council's Mercedes-Narcis district.
City officials wrote to Narciss in July 2023 to warn her about the change, but councillors discovered they should have consulted the community before the shelter plan was introduced.
“I'm not going to come in front of the community and tell them one thing and then switch to something else without making them part of it,” Narciss told the Post.
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Silwa argued that an influx of homeless people would cause a crime explosion in the Sheephead Bay area, despite being developed for families.
“Homeless shelter means uncontrolled men and others roam the streets without supervision. Both reviews and medical checks are money games. There's contracts. And there's kickbacks.
Crime concerns have been shared by many protesters who noted that shelter is near the numerous daycare centers lined up at Avenue U, just a few blocks away, near elementary and middle schools.
“I live there. My kids always walk here. We want more safety,” said Joe Chen, 46, a local barber and hairstylist.
However, city hall said the shelter will open as planned this summer.
“The site is the first person in the Council District, providing 169 homeless families, including school-age children, and ultimately providing the support they need to enter permanent housing. The facility prioritizes the placement of people already in the community.”
“The city first notified local elected authorities of plans to open this shelter more than 18 months ago in July 2023 for a long period of expected completion. The decision to change plans for this site was made by private owners rather than by the city, but we will continue to work with the community to address all our concerns,” the official said. “Our focus is straightforward to ensure that every community has the right resources to support their neighbors in need.”
West Hub will place staff in a building with security that conducts community patrols to protect both residents and neighbors, according to the Department of Human Services.
