Breaking Ground, a homeless non-profit, along with Douglaston Development, recently commenced construction on one of the largest urban renewal projects in Central Brooklyn on the former Kingsboro Psychiatric Center campus at 681 Clarkson Ave (corner Albany Ave) in Crown Heights / East Flatbush.

Phase One of the project includes 262 units of permanent housing for single adult Homeless males and individuals with severe chronic mental health disabilities and substance abuse. The full project of approximately 1,100 Homeless shelter apartments spanning over nine large buildings is expected to be completed by 2031. Once completed, this Crown Heights development will be the largest homeless shelter for MICA (Mentally Ill and Chemically Addicted) individuals in the entire United States.

NYS Assembly candidate Ahron Gluck is the only local politician against this shelter and wants to try to shut it down; all other politicians, elected officials, and candidates for local office are in support of this shelter.

The enormous homeless shelter project is made possible due to legislation (Assembly bill A10520) sponsored by Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, who represents the district.

With the legislation assistance from Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, among other Crown Heights/East Flatbush elected officials, the mega homeless shelter lot, which was legally sold to the developers for just $0, was able to avoid many local regulations. Specifically, the developers are not required to follow New York City zoning requirements; instead, they only need to meet state code compliance rather than city mandates.

This allows for much higher density than what is typically permitted, and the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) significantly exceeds city requirements.

At a minimum, the project is legally required to go through a formal zoning change process, which it hasn’t. If the New York City Council did not receive notice of the required mayoral approval (Adams) back in 2025, which the online City Council agendas seem to indicate, then this project legally is required to go back to the city council for review.

Instead, the state is bypassing local red tape and ignoring the standards that apply to everyone else.

If completed, this massive unfenced Mega Homeless shelter development complex of 1,100 apartments at 681 Clarkson Ave with the main entrance on Albany Avenue, will all but destroy the lives of the local residents in that area, most of whom are lifelong African American families which is a civil rights discrimination tactic targeting black and brown residents, the elected officials would never allow this sort of project to be placed in a white area like Park Slope.

An African American woman from the district voiced concern that Assembly member Cunningham is directly supporting the homeless shelter with legislation and funding, because he gets donations from the “lobbyists,” while abandoning his black and brown constituents, which are an overwhelmingly majority of the residents living near Clarkson Ave, all which already suffer from the daily crime committed by those residing in the nearly dozen homeless shelters currently near Kings County Hospital in Crown Heights and East Flatbush.

As construction and digging started over the past several weeks at the site of the Mega homeless shelter location, many African American local residents living along Clarkson Ave have been frustrated that, with “special treatment,” the construction work and loud noise start very early in the morning and go on late into the night, well above the allowed time frame and noise levels, including on weekends. The street has also been blocked off on many occasions, something private construction developments can’t do. Additional concerns of numerous rats and mice sightings entering and exiting the construction site at 681 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203.

Recently, the Vaad Hakohol sent a letter to city representatives questioning why the NYC council bypassed a mandatory obligation, which is subject to the property sale of 681 Clarkson Ave, which could have put a halt to the project, and why the city council refused a community public hearing on the ‘Mega’ homeless shelter without input from the district’s residents.

While residents head to the polls during the ongoing early voting elections to vote for Ahron Gluckso he can try to stop the shelters, bear in mind that there are also other important races on the ballot, including: Members of the State Committee candidates Nakisha O. Evans and Akel K. Williams both whom are friends, allies and strong supporters of the Crown Heights Jewish community and Anash are recommended to cast their ballots for Ms. Evans and Mr. Williams along with Ahron Gluck.

To check your Crown Heights or East Flatbush early voting poll site and Election Day poll site locations.
https://vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site