We are deeply concerned about the Department of Social Services plan to open a Safe Haven homeless shelter for 106 single adults (predominantly men) at 320 Pearl Street.

The proposed location is attached to the building of our beloved Peck Slip School, which is an elementary school that serves approximately 400 children, ages 3-11 years old from Pre K to 5th grade. Peck Slip School also houses a District 2 Pre K day care center.

An actively used school entrance and exit for children is only 5 feet from 320 Pearl Street. The street that is for children to use for recess throughout the day at school is only 55 feet from 320 Pearl Street.

Safe Havens are “low-barrier” shelters that typically focus on the chronically homeless population, a group that often has high rates of substance abuse and mental illness.

It is inappropriate and dangerous to place such shelter next to a school with young children.

While we understand and empathize with the need for more homeless shelters in our city, we propose that city officials seek alternative locations for this shelter – places where they can provide necessary services to homeless individuals without endangering children’s health and safety.

Please sign this petition to voice your opposition against opening a homeless shelter at 320 Pearl Street.