Community Board 12, Williamsbridge residents shocked affordable housing building will partly be used as shelter
Nearby residents tell News 12 that the 41 affordable housing units are not so affordable in their perspective.
More Stories
Affordable housing is consistently a top issue for New Yorkers and the Bronx is no different, but Community Board 12 is raising concerns about a new affordable housing building on East Gun Hill Road that’s being used in part as a shelter.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) confirmed to News 12 that 91 units are being used as shelter units and 41 units are set aside for affordable housing through Housing Connect, the city’s housing lottery. The agency says none of the units on the housing lottery were affected by the shelter space and that none were converted into shelters.
However, CB 12 said input from the community was not included in the decision. The board said after multiple requests, it was able to get data on homelessness in the community from the city but that little outreach was done to the community from the Department or from the building developers, Stagg Group. Multiple neighbors at NYCHA’s Gun Hill Houses also said they weren’t aware that the building would have shelter units.
Robert Hall said Community Board 12 already has existing shelters, including one with 170 units for New Yorkers. Hall added that more transparency is needed before a new building is built in a community.
Nearby residents tell News 12 that the 41 affordable housing units are not so affordable in their perspective. Rent for the building range from $2,155 for a studio to $3,200 for a three-bedroom, according to the listing.
