On Friday the 27th, New York State Assemblyman Zheng Yongjia and State Senator Chen Xueli held a rally at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 50th Street in Brooklyn, publicly opposing a housing plan that would mix homeless individuals with existing tenants. The plan proposes to introduce temporary homeless tenants into an apartment building at 5001 10th Avenue that is already occupied by long-term residents, sparking strong backlash from the community.
The building is located in Borough Park, where some tenants have lived for decades, with some families spanning three generations residing there. The planned housing project can accommodate up to 82 units, approximately 300 residents, including about 100 adults and 200 children. Residents and elected officials are concerned that this move will impact the safety and stability of the existing community.
Zheng Yongjia pointed out that homelessness is a complex issue that requires long-term, systemic solutions rather than an “enforced integration” of different population backgrounds. “We are making New Yorkers fear for their own homes, which is neither fair nor has been successful in the past,” he said. He stated that they are currently applying for a temporary restraining order in hopes of halting the project until the issues are clarified.
He further revealed that the developer has already completed some facility preparations and may even start accommodating the homeless individuals as early as the beginning of April, making the timing urgent. Zheng Yongjia questioned the motives and procedures of the project, noting that the building has changed hands multiple times and initially had the potential to convert into stable rental apartments but ended up being repurposed for shelter use, raising suspicions of profit-driven interests.
His chief of staff, Soya Radin, also present at the scene, stated that the team has gathered multiple documentary evidence and submitted them to the court, including building permits, residency proofs, and other issues, some of which indicate possible flaws in construction and usage qualifications. Additionally, the building’s temporary residency permit is about to expire, indicating potential legal issues with occupancy.
Several residents spoke up at the rally, emphasizing that the community is primarily made up of families and elderly individuals, lacking the space and resources to handle the pressure that high turnover of the population could bring. One resident, who has lived there for over 40 years, mentioned that her 89-year-old mother still resides in the building, stating, “We should not have to live in fear every day, worrying about who will move in and what might happen.”
Senator Chen Xueli stated that while the address is not within his district and only adjacent to it, similar situations are occurring in many areas of New York City. “This is not just a problem in Borough Park but a policy direction issue for the entire city,” he emphasized. He reiterated that he is not against helping the homeless but believes the government should choose more appropriate locations and methods, such as dedicated facilities or repurposing vacant spaces, rather than directly shifting the burden onto existing communities.
He also criticized the lack of consistency in city government policies and questioned the possibility of underlying financial interests, suggesting, “By following the money trail, perhaps we can find the answers.”