Homeless shelter replaces affordable housing site in Brooklyn: councilwoman
SHEEPSHEAD BAY, Brooklyn (PIX11) – A Brooklyn lot approved for affordable housing units is instead being used to build a homeless shelter, according to New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov.
A large crowd protested outside the Coyle Street site on Tuesday, arguing that it's too close to nearby schools and day care centers.
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Vernikov wrote on X that the City Council voted for housing to be built at the site, not a shelter.
'This is an UNACCEPTABLE bait and switch!' she said. 'The plans were changed with NO input from the community or representatives. Is the New York City government just going to ignore and undermine the wants and needs of the community?'
Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, whose district neighbors Vernikov's, urged neighbors on Facebook to call the mayor's office and the Department of Social Services to demand only affordable housing be built in the lot.
More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State
Community Board 15 is scheduled to host a presentation about the Coyle Street shelter next week. The presenters are Westhab – a nonprofit that offers affordable housing and wraparound services.
A similar protest was held in Borough Park last week, where a homeless shelter that will house 82 families will open up this year.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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