Nearly 800 signatures gathered in effort to block homeless shelters in Park Slope

Neighbors contested that the city hasn't properly planned for integrating the homeless families into the community.

News 12 Staff

Jun 7, 2019, 1:07 AM

Updated 1,952 days ago

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Community members in Park Slope are pushing back against a plan to build two homeless shelters a block away from each other.
The proposed shelters, which will consist mainly of single women with children, will be located at 555 and 535 Fourth Ave. The city wants to spread shelters more evenly across the boroughs.
Neighbors contest that the city hasn't properly planned for integrating the homeless families into the community. Community members have created a petition against the plan and have received nearly 800 signatures.
One resident opposed to the plan says the city needs to address what's going to happen to the families once they move in.
The two shelters will be run by the nonprofit group Win. President and CEO Christine Quinn tells News 12 helping these families get back on their feet is instrumental in solving the city's homeless crisis.
The Department of Homeless Services responded to News 12 in a statement that reads in part, "We're confident that these families will be warmly welcomed and through collaborative support and compassion, we will make this the best experience it can be for these families as they get back on their feet."
The first facility is slated to open in September and the other by the end of the year.