Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Homeless Shelter Proposed for Carroll Gardens

CARROLL GARDENS — Housing Solutions USA/Aguila Inc. has submitted a proposal to the Department of Homeless Services to open a homeless shelter in Carroll Gardens.

If the proposal is approved by the DHS, the shelter will provide social services to 170 single adults in the space located at 165 W. 9th St., between Court Street and Hamilton Avenue.

“We are looking to expand our services to meet the increased demand for save and supportive transitional housing to help less fortunate individuals achieve a better quality of life and find permanent housing,” said Robert Hess, CEO of Housing Solutions USA, in a letter to the community board.

Earlier this year, the same agency opened a smaller, 400-bed homeless shelter on West 59th Street in Manhattan, causing a stir among local residents who feared the shelter would increase crime in the area.

Some residents living across the street from the proposed space on West 9th Street, echoed the concern, and said that a shelter shouldn’t be placed on a residential block.

“I believe in doing it, but it’s tough for residents to put it in a residential block,” said Peter Kotapski, a resident who lives across the street from the proposed space. “Crime is minimal here, but it still happens. I was hoping to deter crime here instead.”

In response to the proposal, Community Board 6 plans to hold an informational session to discuss further details.

“We are in the process of setting up a public Informational Meeting for the Community Board and community to learn more about this proposal firsthand,” said Craig Hammerman, district manager of CB6, in a written announcement.