In Brooklyn, at the southern end of Sheepshead Bay, the Gold Star Inn, previously a family shelter, is facing backlash as it undergoes a transformation into a facility capable of accommodating 110 single adult male vagrants. The plan has sparked strong opposition from the community. The New York State court approved a temporary restraining order (TRO), filed by the plaintiffs, on July 30. This order prohibits the City of New York from placing any new single adult males at the shelter until a hearing scheduled for August 12.
City Council Member Inna Vernikov took to Facebook on the afternoon of the 30th to celebrate what she described as a major victory for the Sheepshead Bay residents. She expressed gratitude to her fellow plaintiffs, State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, Chair of Community Board 15 Theresa Scavo, community residents, and the pro bono attorneys for their dedication and time invested in the case.
Vernikov stated that they would continue to firmly resist the actions of Mayor Mamdani’s administration in “dumping” shelters on their community, putting children and the elderly at risk.
On July 24, City Council Member Vernikov, State Assemblyman Yeger, along with Chair of Community Board 15 and representatives from nearby residents and senior centers, collectively filed a lawsuit under section 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) at the State court. The case is being represented by the law firms Eisenberg & Carton and Pinczewski & Shpelfogel.
The plaintiffs argued that the city government did not fulfill legal obligations regarding notification, public disclosure, and community engagement in the shelter renovation process. They sought the court to overturn the decision made by the city on July 20 to convert the facility.
In their motion, the plaintiffs requested that during the hearing period, the city be prohibited from placing more single adult males at the Gold Star Inn, and demanded an expedited submission of all internal documents, including memorandums, documents, approvals, legal analysis, contracts, as well as approvals from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC). They insisted on reviewing all the administrative records that the city initially relied upon to justify the renovation without complying with Section 21-324 of the Administrative Code, claiming the Gold Star Inn as an “existing site” that could be legally renovated.
According to Council Member Vernikov, the Gold Star Inn, which previously housed 55 families with children, has already relocated them, and the next phase will involve transforming it into a shelter for up to 110 single adult males, who are not subject to background checks for criminal history. At the time of filing, at least 35 single adult males have already moved in.
Following the exposure of the renovation plans, Vernikov, Yeger, and State Senator Sam Sutton have corresponded multiple times with relevant city departments and organized a protest rally on July 16 at the construction site, drawing hundreds of residents to participate.
Vernikov emphasized that the court’s approval of the temporary restraining order is just the initial step. The community will continue to challenge the city’s decision through legal means in the hope of halting the vagrant shelter renovation plan. They have also sent letters of opposition to the Department of Social Services (DSS), New York City Comptroller Li Wen, and the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Comptroller Li Wen has initiated an investigation and is actively auditing BHRAGS.