Residents in East Flatbush were divided on Saturday over a transitional housing site that opened last week, which would bring formerly incarcerated people to their neighborhood.

One group of protesters called on the city to stop “degrading” their neighborhood while others argued that former inmates have the right to adequate housing.

Housing advocates say the facility offers the formerly incarcerated resources to transition back into society and is necessary. The site is located at what used to be the Holiday Inn Express Hotel on Kings Highway.

Nonprofit organizations Exodus Transitional Community and Housing Works partnered with the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice in April 2020 to provide stable housing for those leaving New York City's jail system.

Community advocates say that rather than investing in temporary housing, they should invest in permanent housing. Housing advocates argue that the city already has.

Exodus officials say the transitional site is temporary and contracted to be at that location until December, unless the contract is renewed.