Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) and community leaders continue to strongly oppose the city's proposed plan to build a 150 single-male homeless shelter at 2147 Bath Avenue in Brooklyn.

“ People choose to remain on the street because conditions in city-funded shelters are awful and those who need supportive services, including mental health and treatment for addictions, get little or no help. No one has taken a look at how the locations for new shelters are selected, flipped, and developed by a web of third parties, LLC’s and companies that ultimately pass the cost on to taxpayers. Instead of providing permanent solutions for the homeless crisis such as subsidized or supportive housing, these shelters have become little more than businesses that provide an opportunity for developers to make a profit,” Colton stated.

“It has been almost eight months since the community was alerted to the city's proposed plan. Residents arestill in the dark and no one knows anythingabout the proposed plan at 2147 Bath Avenue in Brooklyn, only that approximately 150 single males will be residing there. The community has the right to know whether the planned homeless shelter will be in compliance with the building and zoning codes,” Colton continued.

“My office has been circulating a petition demanding that the NYC Mayor and the Department of Homeless Services withdraw their proposal. We intend to keep up the momentum on this issue until it is withdrawn. The community will remain united in fighting against this homeless shelter which would not help solve the homeless crisis but would be detrimental to the residential quality of life in our neighborhood especially when the proposed location is near several schools. The East Academy of Science & Technology High School is 0.3 miles away and I.S. 281 Joseph B. Cavallaro middle school is 0.5 miles away from the proposed location. Please join us at the rally, together we will prevail,” Colton added.

Press Conference

What: Press conference with Assemblyman Colton (47^th AD), elected officials, community leaders and residents.

When: Sunday, August 8, 6:30 p.m.

Where: 2147 Bath Avenue and corner of Bay 29 Street, Brooklyn.