Brooklyn Residents Sue Over Shelter Density, Claim City Failed Fair Share Review

Fourteen residents in Sunset Park and Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn, have filed lawsuits challenging the approval of a new 200-bed homeless shelter. The facility, known as HELP Quarterstone, is set to open possibly in October at 225 25th St., near Fourth Avenue. The lawsuit claims the city did not conduct a proper “Fair Share” analysis or environmental review before approving the shelter.

The proposed site is already within half a mile of five existing shelters, including one for families with children and three commercial hotels used for single adult shelters. This density has raised concerns among local residents, who argue the area is already burdened with an excessive number of facilities. Hakan Topal, an organizer with Greenwood Heights Association, emphasized that the community is not opposed to helping the homeless but is concerned about the cumulative impact of adding more shelters in a small area.

The lawsuit highlights that the addition of HELP Quarterstone would bring the total number of shelters in Sunset Park to at least 11. Some of these are emergency shelters, which are not intended for long-term living and may offer fewer resources to residents. The new shelter is located near a daycare and the 25th Street R subway station, prompting public safety concerns from local business owners.

The city’s Department of Homeless Services has faced ongoing challenges in balancing the urgent need to provide shelter with the goal of distributing resources fairly across neighborhoods. At a recent Brooklyn Community Board 7 meeting, Chris Gonzalez, chief strategy officer at DHS, noted a “shift in prioritization” in siting shelters, with a focus on “thinking more critically about where we’re putting these facilities.”

Nicholas Jacobelli, deputy press secretary at the Department of Social Services, stated that the city is committed to ensuring “every community is doing its fair share and has adequate safety net resources to support their neighbors in need.” The administration continues to work toward a more equitable distribution of shelters throughout the city.

The lawsuits reflect a broader tension between the need to provide shelter and the desire to avoid overburdening specific neighborhoods. As the city moves forward with its shelter expansion plans, the legal challenges highlight the complex interplay between policy, community concerns, and the responsibility to care for the vulnerable.

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