NYC parents slam construction of men’s homeless shelter near Brooklyn middle school: ‘Shame!’

Detailed summary

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse is demanding NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani address community concerns.

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Parents across Brooklyn’s Canarsie neighborhood are demanding answers from New York City officials and Mayor Zohran Mamdani over plans to build a 200-bed men’s homeless shelter just one block from a local middle school.

Parents, teachers and other residents protested Monday night against plans for a 200-bed men’s homeless shelter on East 108th Street that is expected to open in 2028, one block from the Science and Medicine Middle School 366 on East 107th Street.

Among the protesters was New York City Council member Mercedes Narcisse, who represents the 46th District and criticized the city’s Department of Social Services (DSS) in comments reported by News 12 Brooklyn.

“You want to put it next to a school — a middle school for God’s sake! These are our children! Shame!” Narcisse said.

Narcisse said DSS informed her about the proposed shelter last week but had not sought her input, even though she represents the neighborhood.

According to News 12 Brooklyn, the upcoming shelter is part of a broader citywide plan to open 12 new shelters, including three in Brooklyn.

Narcisse has requested a meeting with the DSS commissioner for Thursday to discuss residents’ concerns. However, many protesters are calling for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to attend.

“I asked for the commissioner, but now, my community says the mayor,” Narcisse said.

Opening of the article, excerpted from New York Post. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.