The Chinese community in the Gravesend neighborhood addressed their concerns, protesting the city’s plan to build a homeless shelter at the intersection of 25th Avenue and 86th Street. The protests have been ongoing, with the key message from the residents being clear of their statement: “No Shelter, Children Safety First.”
David, a resident and participant in the protests, expressed his concerns: “By placing a shelter here in the area, or in any location, school grounds, daycare, etc., it should not be the location to build a homeless shelter. We care about the children’s safety first.”
The shelter is planned to be situated within a short distance of several schools and daycare facilities, which has been a major point of contention for residents. Susan, a resident in the same neighborhood who lives near the proposed site, also expressed her concerns. “I understand that the city is trying to address homelessness, but this is not the right location,” Susan said. “We’re already dealing with traffic and congestion in this area, and now a shelter? I’m worried about the children.”
During the protest, some residents called for the city to explore alternative locations for the shelter, preferably away from schools and residential areas. Sharon (my sister) suggested that the city look for less populated areas to construct shelters. “I think it’s important to help the homeless, but not in a densely populated area like this,” Sharon said. “There are plenty of places in the city where shelters could be built without affecting the safety of our children.”
Many have signed petitions and plan to attend upcoming city council meetings to continue voicing their opposition to the shelter’s location. In response to the protests, city officials have stated that they are open to discussions with the community. However, as of now, the city’s plans for the shelter remain in place.
As the situation develops, Gravesend residents remain firm in their position, urging city officials to reconsider the shelter’s location. The community’s message is clear: they are not opposed to helping those in need, but they believe the safety and well-being of their children should come first.
The debate surrounding the homeless shelter at 25th Avenue and 86th Street is far from over, and the outcome will likely have a lasting impact on both the neighborhood and the city’s approach to addressing homelessness in the future. Residents hope that their protests will lead to a constructive dialogue with city officials and ultimately result in a solution that works for everyone involved.
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