Hundreds of protesters push back on controversial men's shelter construction in Bensonhurst
Crews were seen adding a security gate, removing debris and moving a large truck to the lot, separated from protesters by a heavy police presence and barricades.
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Hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the site of a proposed men's shelter in Bensonhurst on Monday as construction on the project began on Palm Sunday evening.
Crews were seen adding a security gate, removing debris and moving a large truck to the lot, separated from protesters by a heavy police presence and barricades.
The activity comes after DSS told News 12 construction was a "long way off" after a similar protest took place last week over fears of renewed activity for a project DSS says was stalled under the Adams administration but has resumed under the Mamdani administration.
DSS says the center will have wrap-around services, work to bring those inside into permanent housing programs and be equipped with both security personnel and cameras.
However, residents who oppose the project say it sits too close to schools and a train station, calling instead for the lot to be used for affordable or senior housing. Many told News 12 that they feel the construction started when it did to catch residents there off guard.
"With the city's track record, and how they are doing this construction, people do not trust the city, no matter how big or great they say this shelter will be," said CM Susan Zhuang, adding "We not communication, a timeline and transparency."
DSS tells News 12 the shelter will be the first of its kind in the area, but residents fear that the shelter will bring homeless from other parts of the city.
“This is a middle-class neighborhood, you don't have vagrants on the street here, but you watch no one from this neighborhood will be using this," said Bensonhurst resident Louis Stuto.
The project is still slated for a late 2027 opening.
