Protesters descended on Brooklyn, New York over the weekend, opposing the city’s proposal to establish a homeless shelter, a move that many residents described as a “bait and switch.” On Sunday, hundreds rallied in Sheepshead Bay, chanting about voting rights after city officials announced plans for a shelter on land previously designated for affordable housing back in 2022.
Local residents voiced their concerns, claiming that the project underwent significant changes in 2023 without community input or discussion. Activists marched for hours, holding signs that read, “There are no shelters near playgrounds or schools,” “Please keep our roads safe, shelter away,” and “Child safety first, no shelter for the homeless.”
Curtis Sliwa, a mayoral candidate and founder of the Angels, criticized city officials for their decisions. “The community is fighting in court to prevent this switch from affordable housing to a shelter,” he said. “Hundreds are here in solidarity, and I don’t care what party you represent, the absence of elected officials is telling.”
The site in question, 2134 Coyle St., was initially intended as a five-story mixed-use building with 120 apartments, including 36 affordable units. The plan was approved by the Brooklyn Community Commission in 2021. However, city officials have now proposed transforming it into a 175-unit homeless shelter, which would remain for families with no other housing options.
In a recent post, Sliwa emphasized, “The community has been promised affordable housing, not another shelter.” Residents expressed concerns about the dangers often associated with shelters, with one local recalling a conversation with their father who had a homeless friend fearful of shelter life.
Dimple Willabus, a candidate for District 46 Council, urged residents to hold local officials accountable. “It’s crucial to keep the pressure on,” Willabus stated. “We need to advocate for the right leaders and make our voices heard.”
