Members of the Fordham community are voicing their concerns over a proposed men's stabilization bed program. 

"We're property owners, we're looking for quality businesses to come, we're looking to improve our quality of life and public safety," said Rachel Miller-Bradshaw of Fordham Hill Owners Corporation.

Operated by Acacia Network Housing, what used to be a family shelter at 2287 University Ave. is planned to turn into 59-room shelter for men, just a few blocks away from a 200-bed men's shelter on Landing Road.

Community Members were notified of the proposed men's stabilization bed program after a community board meeting in February. 

"We deserve to know. There was a process issue here. We should have been notified before, these conversations should have happened earlier," said Council Member Pierina

Sanchez. 

Sanchez will be hosting a virtual town hall Thursday evening for community members to discuss their concerns along with representatives from Acacia Networks and the New York City Department of Homeless Services.

"As we emerge from this pandemic, every community must come together to support their fellow New Yorkers in need, which is why we continue to develop specialized resources for helping unsheltered individuals come off the streets and subways across our City, with thousands of such beds already serving vulnerable New Yorkers citywide," says a Department of Homeless Services spokesperson in a statement.

Lower-barrier programs like stabilization beds provide on-site services and compassionate staff who work closely with each individual to rebuild trust as they stabilize their lives. To that end, we recently transitioned the use of this location, which has provided shelter services since 2012, to a stabilization bed facility, offering 59 New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness a place to come inside and receive high-quality supports," the spokesperson says. "The health and safety of staff and clients remains our top priority at all times, and together with not-for-profit service provider partner Acacia, we intend on continuing to be good neighbors and members of the community, including through ongoing engagement, as we help these New Yorkers get back on their feet."

Sources say that the Community Board was officially notified about the change of use in the facility on Dec. 23, 2021.