Bensonhurst residents renew fight against proposed men’s homeless shelter
Crowds gathered in front of the planned site, chanting and holding signs as speakers argued the shelter would bring safety concerns to the neighborhood. The project has been in development since 2023.
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BENSONHURST — Residents packed 86th Street on Thursday to renew their calls to stop a proposed 150‑bed men’s homeless shelter, urging the new mayoral administration to reconsider the project.
Crowds gathered in front of the planned site, chanting and holding signs as speakers argued the shelter would bring safety concerns to the neighborhood. The project has been in development since 2023.
Residents said the location is too close to the busy train station and to several senior housing complexes. Many said they felt the previous administration did not listen to their concerns and hoped the new one would.
“C’mon, what’s the matter with you guys? We need you, because if this neighborhood goes down, you're all going to be crying,” said Lou, a local bar owner.
Community leaders said a voicemail circulated this week claiming construction would begin immediately, prompting the large turnout. The Department of Social Services told News 12 it did send a message stating the Mamdani administration intends to restart the project, but said construction has not yet begun, calling the project still a long way off.
State Sen. Steven Chan told News 12 that two separate lawsuits by nearby property owners were preventing the site, something he would support at the state level, but said the final decision rests solely with the city.
Residents who grew frustrated by a lack of response from the Adams administration to community members there were hoping Mamdani's pro-housing stance would make the push to turn it into senior housing easier.
“We need affordable housing and housing for the seniors,” one community speaker said.
Residents also pointed to a recent comptroller report showing the city spends $81,000 per homeless person each year. They argued that money should instead go toward housing vouchers.
“It could go to people and get them out of the shelter system,” said resident Henry Zhu. “We are calling for a comptroller’s audit for this project and over on Coil Street. Where is this money going?”
DSS says the shelter is still planned to open in late 2027, adding that it would be the first shelter to serve that area when it does, saying it is "designed to help them stabilize their lives and transition to stable permanent housing."
