NYC turns back to hotels to grow homeless shelters
A non-profit organization has canceled its plans to build a $50 million apartment complex for formerly homeless and low-income individuals less than a week before its scheduled presentation before Jamaica’s Community Board 12, the Daily News reported. The proposal, by Manhattan-based Common Ground, had drawn mixed opinions from community leaders, some of whom had argued that southeastern Jamaica does not need another homeless shelter. “We have nothing against homelessness, because that can happen to any of us,” said Yvonne Reddick, district manager for CB12. “Investments are being made to enhance our downtown corridor, but we continue to get shelters.” Still, Common Ground had insisted that the project was not a shelter. The proposal had called for 133 studio apartments for formerly homeless individuals and 89 units for individuals making less than $32,000 per year. A spokesperson for Common Ground, which also runs a transitional housing facility in the neighborhood as well as projects in Westchester and Connecticut, said community opposition was not the “overriding issue” in the sudden decision to cancel of the project, but added that “we hope there will be other opportunities in Queens.” [NYDN]
