The Issue

The city plans to build a homeless shelter for over 150 single men at 2147 Bath Avenue in Brooklyn but failed to inform city residents of its plan nor offered any public hearing for our voices to be heard. Our thanks for Assemblyman Bill Colton for raising the flag.

As residents of Bath Beach and Bensonhurst, we support the homeless community but want to be included in conversations around any addition to our home.

The current location poses additional issues:

1. We believe that this project will create serious safety and quality of life issues for the neighborhood without solving the basic homeless issue. The following facilities for children are in very close vicinity:

East Academy of Science & Technology High School (0.2 miles)
I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro Middle School (0.5 miles)
P.S. 200 Benson School (0.3 miles)
Muslim American Society Youth Center (0.3 miles)
Bensonhurst Park Playground (1 block away).      P.S. 128 (0.2 miles)
P.S. 101 Verrazano School (0.3 miles)
Heartshare Preschool (0.2 miles)

2. According to Community Board 11, the shelter will be operated by the Institute for Community Living. The non-profit organization specializes in providing services for those suffering from serious mental illness or developmental disabilities. If this shelter follows the city rules the occupants will not be permitted to remain inside during the day but must return in the evening. This can be a safety issue for both the shelter tenants and the neighbors.

3. Small businesses and mom-and-pop stores are the backbones of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach. Many are already experiencing difficulties as a result of the pandemic. The building of a homeless shelter will negatively impact these businesses even further.

4. As a community, we are afraid that if the city wants to move further with this project, it will negatively impact Bath Avenue's landscape. The Bath Ave is already congested with double parking traffic, and there is a significant shortage of parking spaces in the neighborhood.

The Solution

There are several city-owned properties that are vacant in industrial zones that can be used. Our taxpayer’s money will be much more efficiently used converting these existing properties instead of building new facilities. At the same time, it will minimize the friction of the shelter’s population with neighboring communities.

The announcement of the homeless shelter comes as a complete surprise to the community.  The proposal needs greater community discussion and should not move forward without the community’s voice being heard.

Join our Facebook group to stay updated: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2147bath

Signing a petition is NOT enough, we must take further action. Please email our local elected officials to let them hear your voice:

*When you email our local elected officials, please include your name, home address, and phone number*

Institute for Community Living (the organization that will operate the shelter)
844-425-4673
info@iclinc.org

NYC Department Of Homeless Services
212-361-8000 or 212-385-3030
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/home/mail/html/maildhs.html

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
929-474-3793
askeric@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
info@ericadams2021.com
State Assemblyman William Colton
718-236-1598
ColtonW@nyassembly.gov

City Council Member Mark Treyger
718-307-7151
MTreyger@council.nyc.gov

Community Board Chairman William Guarinello
718-266-8800
BK11@cb.nyc.gov

Senator Andrew Gounardes
718-238-6044
gounardes@nysenate.gov

Senator Diane J. Savino
718-333-0311
Savino@nysenate.gov

Office Of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis
646-598-7635
https://malliotakis.house.gov/contact

Justin Brannan
718-748-5200
AskJB@council.nyc.gov

Other facilitates for children:
Heartshare Preschool
Muslim American Society Youth Center
East Academy of Science & Technology High School