In response to the development project of a homeless shelter at 2134 Udall Road in Brooklyn’s Bath Beach, the developer, after previously suing two Chinese families, filed a lawsuit against nine more Chinese homeowners last Friday (August 1), totaling 19 individuals, to force them to allow access to their backyards for construction barriers and to cover the litigation costs. The number of families being sued has now increased to 11 households, with a total of 24 residents involved.
These legal actions have sparked widespread community attention. Yesterday (August 7), the grassroots organization “Save South Brooklyn” held an emergency community meeting to provide updates on the case and discuss strategies going forward.
Dr. Henry Zhu, a representative of the organization and a doctor of medical psychology, stated that while some residents have not formally refused access to the developer, they have still received threatening letters without any necessary content to sign, causing psychological stress. He pointed out, “They are using litigation to pressure the community for compromise. This is legal harassment designed to intimidate us and make us give up our resistance.”
Dr. Zhu further emphasized that the community has raised doubts about the legitimacy and transparency of the development project. Initially marketed as affordable housing, it has now transitioned, without public consultation, to a homeless shelter, raising suspicions of a “bait and switch” strategy.
Currently, the Department of Buildings has listed the location at 2134 Udall Road as a facility for “providing accommodation for charitable or non-profit organizations” and described it as a “supportive housing program funded by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS)” in court documents. However, the developer continues to refer to it as a “seven-story residential and community facility building” in the filings, without mentioning its intended use as a homeless shelter, further deepening the community’s mistrust of the developer.
Dr. Zhu stressed, “Our community has the right to know whether these developers and non-profit organizations are following proper procedures. We want to know: Who signed the development permit? How were these contracts obtained? Why was there no discussion with the community board? Were there any issues during the review process?” He mentioned that several elected officials have expressed their support, including State Assembly members Jaime Williams and Yung Jae Jung, urging the Department of Buildings to conduct a comprehensive audit of all development permits.
The developer’s initial action under Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law section 881 was filed on May 23 against two Chinese homeowners involving a total of five individuals with similar claims. A hearing for the case is scheduled for September 3. It remains unclear if the new case will be consolidated with the original one and will depend on the judge’s decision, but currently, both cases are proceeding independently in the legal process.
Representatives of the residents have contacted numerous local officials, including State Senators, State Assembly members, City Council representatives, and plan to meet with high-ranking officials from the Department of Buildings to demand an immediate halt to development permits and initiate an investigation.
Dr. Zhu urged all public representatives and community members to unite in face of the legal challenge, stating, “Our neighbors are under legal pressure. We must stand together to protect our community. Every resident here, regardless of party affiliation, deserves respect. We will continue to fight until this development project aligns with the true interests of the community and the public.”
Local elected officials were approached by a correspondent from Epoch Times on August 7. City Council Member of the 46th District, Mercedes Narcisse, stated, “I will meet with ‘Save South Brooklyn’ on Monday to coordinate next steps. The developer’s lawsuits against innocent homeowners without informing the community of the truth are angering and exacerbating an already unacceptable situation.”
She added, “My office will support these families and work with all community partners to stop this project until the original affordable housing initiative is restored. We stand united against this ‘bait and switch’ behavior and will not back down.”
State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger and newly elected State Senator Sam Sutton have not responded to the reporter’s inquiries. However, Yeger, along with Narcisse and others, issued a joint statement in April clearly opposing the construction of a homeless shelter at 2134 Udall Road, urging the city government to halt the project and return to the original affordable housing plan.