Canarsie residents voice opposition to proposed shelter near Middle school

A demonstration was held Monday evening, drawing parents, teachers, and local residents who are seeking answers from city officials and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. New York City Council member Mercedes Narcisse, representing the 46th District, was present and voiced her criticism of the city’s Department of Social Services (DSS). “You want to put it next to a school — a middle school for God’s sake! These are our children! Shame!” she stated.

Narcisse reported that she was informed of the shelter plans only last week and that the DSS did not seek her input, despite her representation of the area. The new shelter is part of a larger city initiative to establish 12 new shelters, with three planned for Brooklyn.

Narcisse has requested a meeting with the DSS commissioner for Thursday to address community concerns, although many protesters are now requesting Mayor Mamdani’s presence. “I asked for the commissioner, but now, my community says the mayor,” she said.

The Department of Social Services acknowledged the shelter plans and emphasized the importance of community engagement. They stated that notifying elected officials and community boards is a standard procedure and marks the beginning of a process that includes opportunities for community input.

Requests for comment were sent to Science and Medicine Middle School 366, Narcisse’s office, and Mamdani’s office, but responses were not immediately available. Recent protests against similar shelter developments have been occurring throughout New York City, with residents citing a lack of community involvement.

In July, the New York Post reported the relocation of 110 single homeless men to a former family shelter in Brooklyn, noting that background checks were not performed by the Department of Homeless Services.