Critics are giving no quarter on these quarters.
A controversial emergency homeless shelter for parents and young kids that the city is opening across from a Kensington elementary school may end up becoming a more permanent fixture — and potentially a single mens’ facility, officials revealed Thursday, angering residents who vowed to oppose any changes.
“I will fight it to make sure it stays the way they said it will,” said Jack Wallace, a Kensington property owner.
The city surprised neighbors in late November when it announced the imminent arrival of the shelter, which it said would be open for six months and used to house homeless families with kids. But it will probably extend that contract to accommodate an ever growing population of homeless New Yorkers, officials told hundreds of locals at a packed public meeting about the refuge on Dec. 10
“In all likelihood, the contract will be expanded after six months,” Doreen Howe, the Department of Homeless Services’ associate commissioner for transitional services. “The need for homeless shelters isn’t going away anytime soon.”
Some residents were already steamed after homeless services was able to open the 65-bed emergency refuge — which is located across the road from PS 230 — with no community consultation and a scant week’s notice for neighbors thanks to a provision that kicks in when the city’s shelter system is close to bursting point.
Now they’re fuming that the loophole could have opened the door for what was billed as a temporary family to become something else entirely.
“This is not temporary by any means, and that’s why I’m fighting it” said Wallace.
Howe said the facility has not been created for homeless men, but could not guarantee that it won’t be retrofitted for them at some point in the future, which did not calm critics’ fears.
“I’m disappointed,” said Wallace. “There’s no guarantee they wouldn’t make it a higher risk facility.”
But many other Kensingtonians have rallied behind the new addition to the neighborhood — some have been collecting diapers, groceries, and Christmas gifts for residents — and supporters said they are happy to welcome the shelter, whatever it becomes, for the greater good.
“Can we not tolerate a little risk to help people in need?” said Josh Mason, a Kensington homeowner with children heading into PS 230.
In response to the outcry, Howe said the department will put together a community advisory board — likely comprising local community board members — to act a go-between with the agency on residents on any issues arising from the shelter.
And if the shelter contract is renewed following its six month run, a hearing will take place at the Mayor’s Office of Contracts — although no additional meetings within the Kensington community are planned, she said.
