Communicated: Is the Proposed Family Shelter Beneficial to the Jewish Community?

Following the proposal of a homeless shelter in Boro Park several months ago, local residents have expressed concerns about its potential impact on the neighborhood. To address these concerns, BoroPark24 investigated the project to provide more insight.

The original proposal for the shelter was submitted by a non-profit organization with the intention of establishing a family shelter. These shelters primarily serve mothers and their children who are facing hardships and need temporary support to regain stability. Unlike other shelters, family shelters do not accommodate single individuals or those with violent histories, ensuring a safe environment for struggling families.

Although the initial proposer secured approval for the site, internal restructuring and management challenges prevented them from proceeding. As a result, they sought another non-profit to take over the project. Given the shelter’s location in a Jewish neighborhood, an organization familiar with the frum community’s needs and sensitivities stepped in to manage it, ensuring that it aligns with the values of the local population.

The provider will have the flexibility to modify the typically strict rules and regulations of a shelter to better accommodate frum families. In the past, frum families who had no choice but to seek refuge in homeless shelters often faced challenging and less-than-ideal conditions. This shelter aims to change that by offering a more suitable and supportive environment.

While a homeless shelter may not be the first choice for many residents as a neighborhood addition, for struggling families, it could be the lifeline they desperately need.