Residents of the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in New York City have been protesting against the construction of a shelter for the homeless on 86th Street for over 40 days. Despite facing opposition, the residents remain adamant in their stance and have vowed to continue their protests until the issue is resolved, even if it extends to the November elections. Mayor Adams, however, emphasized at a press conference yesterday that the New York City government is facing significant pressure and challenges in addressing the homelessness issue. He asserted that shelters for the homeless are still a necessary option amidst the current circumstances.
Mayor Adams further elaborated on the dire situation of homelessness in New York City. He stated that despite some historical progress in relocating homeless individuals to permanent housing over the past three years, the issue persists, with the number of street homeless reaching the highest point in over a decade.
Some residents have described the shelter conditions as deplorable and unsafe, likening them to a “vicious cycle,” especially at major transportation hubs like Pennsylvania Station in Midtown Manhattan.
In response to external criticism questioning the government’s strategy in addressing homelessness, Mayor Adams explained that part of the surge in homelessness is attributed to the influx of 212,000 commuters into the city since spring 2022, in addition to the existing 64,000 homeless individuals, creating immense pressure on the government to provide ample housing within a short period. Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom added that currently, approximately 700 to 900 people need housing placement weekly, which at one point soared to as many as 4,000 people per week.
Similar to the protests against the shelter on 86th Street in Bensonhurst, there has been controversy surrounding the Elizabeth Street Garden near Chinatown adjacent to Little Italy. The garden has been a subject of dispute for years between those advocating for preserving green spaces and constructing affordable housing for seniors. Mayor Adams emphasized that with a low vacancy rate of only 1.4% for affordable housing in New York City, many individuals holding housing vouchers have nowhere to live, with 64,000 people residing in shelters.
He underscored that regardless of the location chosen for housing initiatives, there will always be opposition, but his responsibility is to ensure as many people as possible have a place to live, as it is intertwined with broader social issues. He stated, “If a child grows up in a homeless shelter, they are unlikely to finish high school. Without graduating, there will be too many people incarcerated.”
Regarding the issue of shelters for the homeless, Mayor Adams remarked, “I don’t know of any community that would willingly say, ‘build here, build here’ for homeless shelters. Some places in our city don’t have shelters and don’t want shelters. We cannot manage a city like this. Therefore, I am willing to accept the criticism that comes with these difficult decisions.”
The Mayor also urged federal and state governments to provide support to address this crisis and suggested amending current shelter laws, noting that the law established 40 years ago did not consider the current scale of needs.