On Tuesday evening, hundreds of community members gathered at MS 61, located at 400 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, for a heated town hall meeting regarding a proposed 140-bed single adult men’s psychiatric homeless shelter for formerly incarcerated individuals expected to open in two weeks at the Ramada by Wyndham in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

The homeless shelter, planned for 169 Empire Boulevard between Rogers Avenue and Bedford Avenue, sparked strong reactions from local residents concerned about safety, quality of life, and the growing number of homeless shelters operating in the area. The meeting took place near Empire Boulevard and New York Avenue and drew a large crowd of neighborhood residents.

Several African American residents of Crown Heights passionately criticized Assemblyman Brian Cunningham over his support for homeless shelters in the community, including the large 328-bed “chronically” homeless shelter facility currently operating on Clarkson Avenue, which he attended the groundbreaking of, and the proposed 1100-bed “Mega” Homeless shelter on Albany Avenue. Videos circulating online showed residents expressing frustration and accusing local leadership of deliberately ignoring community concerns.

Among the local elected officials in attendance were Council members Crystal Hudson and Rita Joseph, both strong supporters of homeless shelters in our district, who recently voted against the safety of the Crown Heights neighborhood.

State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham was notably absent from the meeting.

Also present was Crown Heights Anash resident and New York State Assembly candidate Ahron Gluck, who said he attended to represent concerns within the Jewish community. During the meeting, Gluck pledged that if elected, he would work to shut down this shelter as well as other large homeless shelter sites operating in the neighborhood.

Residents at the meeting argued that Crown Heights and East Flatbush have already carried a disproportionate burden of homeless and psychiatric shelter placements compared to other neighborhoods across New York City. Many attendees called for greater transparency, stronger community input, and alternative solutions that would better address homelessness without concentrating large facilities in residential communities.

The town hall reflected growing tensions in the neighborhood as debates continued over public safety, homelessness policy, and the future development of Crown Heights and East Flatbush.

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There is currently a voter registration drive taking place in the Shchunah for local residents to vote for assembly candidate Ahron Gluck in this year’s Democratic primary election, so he can try to shut down the homeless shelters in Crown Heights and East Flatbush.

You must be registered to vote as a Democrat: https://e-register.vote.nyc/