Felder, Eichenstein, Yeger & Chang Oppose Boro Park Homeless Shelter in Letter to Mayor

By Y.M. Lowy

Senators and Assembly members are strongly opposing the proposed homeless shelter at 5001 10th Avenue and 1016 50th Street. Senator Simcha Felder, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, and Assemblyman Lester Chang penned a demanding letter to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park to stop the project.

They are concerned about public safety and believe it will take away important housing resources from the area. Boro Park 24 recently reported on a similar letter written by Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein on the same issue.

The letter reiterates that placing these shelters in the neighborhood without proper consultation with the community is unfair to local families who are now facing a whole new crime threat. "Unfortunately, we have seen time and again how shelters contribute to increased crime, public disorder, and declining safety and security. This is the reality experienced by communities across the city where shelters have been placed without the necessary resources and safeguards."

The letter points out that similar shelters in the city have not provided real help and have instead strained local communities. Without a solid plan to address homelessness, the politicians warn that the shelters will make the problem worse.

"Shelters struggle to provide meaningful help to those in need while straining their local communities. Without a real, sustainable plan for addressing the root causes of homelessness, shelters will continue to fail both their residents and their surrounding neighborhoods. Borough Park cannot bear this burden. Our residents have a right to safety in their homes, on their streets, and in their businesses."

"We urge you to halt this plan immediately and call on you to work with the community to explore alternative solutions that ensure the security of all New Yorkers."

Residents of Borough Park deserve better. They deserve safe homes, secure streets, and a community free from rising crime. These politicians are demanding an immediate stop to the plan and urging the Mayor to work with the community to find more effective solutions.

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