Exclusive: Homeless Shelter Will NOT Be Located at 100 Neptune

After months of local residents and political leaders fighting against the homeless shelter located steps away from a Junior High School and preschool at 100 Neptune Avenue, the location is no longer considered as a possible site of men’s homeless shelter.

In response to her letter to the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) expressing the concerns about the proposed shelter, earlier today attorney Inna Vernikov, who has been fighting to move it elsewhere since it was announced, received a phone call from the DHS and was told that 100 Neptune is no longer considered as a possible site of a homeless shelter. Previously, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz received a letter that other locations are being considered, but no indication was given that 100 Neptune will not be considered. However, now the persistent fight from local neighbors means Bay Academy students will not have to be exposed to walking past a shelter, often after dark in the winter.

Coalition for Safe Housing which has been instrumental in this achievement, announced in response: “This is great news. We appreciate efforts of the concerned residents of our community, our elected officials, and candidates for the upcoming local elections. We will continue to stay involved and active in ensuring the wellbeing of our neighborhoods.”

“It was very exciting to learn that our community won,” told us Inna Vernikov. “We are always told to give up, that we can’t fight the City Hall, but this proves that we can, we should and we will. This shelter would house not just people struck with unfortunate circumstances, but also addicts, people with mental health concerns and felons who should not be next to schools and preschools.”

“There’s no margin of error with our children,” continued Vernikov. “We need to help the homeless, but it must be done in a common sense way that takes into account all the people. No problem should be looked at only from the perspective of one group, no matter how sympathetic they may be. The solution to any problem must include looking out for the interests of all the people, then finding a way that makes sense for all. That was not what happened with this proposed shelter. Instead, the City Hall wanted a quick, easy solution for the homeless, while ignoring the needs of families and children all around.”

“I hope wherever the shelter actually gets built, the government will consider the common sense concerns of all the people involved – the homeless, the children, the homeowners, the businesses, everyone,” concluded Vernikov.

No location for the shelter has been identified as of yet. Ms. Vernikov followed the call with DHS with another letter, asking the DHS to give her the list of other potential locations. Once it is announced, we will inform our readers.

Update: two Council District 48 candidates issued statements on the decision not to build the shelter:

Mariya Markh, long time political staffer and activist:

“I’m pleased to hear the news that 100 Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach is no longer in consideration as a homeless shelter site. After more than six months of working on this issue, and hearing from the thousands of residents who signed petitions, this is welcome news for our community,” said Mariya Markh, candidate for City Council in the 48th District.

“We owe much gratitude to our local elected officials, including Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, who listened to the community’s concerns and worked to make sure the Department of Homeless Services paid attention. I commend DHS for recognizing that when we fight to have our voices heard, we are doing so in good faith and for the benefit of the community as well as the people experiencing homelessness.

“While this is a victory for our community, it does shed light on the difficulty of addressing the homeless crisis in NYC. As a candidate for City Council, I understand that the work doesn’t end here — rather, this is where it begins. The next administration will need to tackle the housing affordability crisis head-on by preventing homelessness, addressing mental health and other issues that contribute to homelessness, and creating more affordable and supportive housing so that no New Yorker finds themselves having to enter the shelter system or worse, sleep on the street.”

Steven Saperstein, the founder of Shorefront Coalition declared:

“We the people won against DeBlasio’s disastrous policies such as building the shelter at 100 Neptune Avenue! Let’s keep up the momentum and push back against any damaging plans for our district. Come out and vote on June 22 for Steven Saperstein.”