The residences of Maspeth Queens received a Columbus Day surprise from the city’s Dept. of Homeless Services. DHS in a clandestine operation moved 30 working homeless men into the Holiday Inn Hotel. This is the same hotel that saw Maspeth protest its conversion into a homeless shelter.
See: Maspeth Residents Prepare To Sue City Over Proposed Homeless Shelter: http://gothamist.com/2016/08/27/maspeth_shelter_protest.php#photo-1
Plans for Holiday Inn homeless shelter in Maspeth, Queens scrapped: http://pix11.com/2016/09/09/plans-for-holiday-inn-homeless-shelter-in-maspeth-queens-scrapped/
Through the back door
It seemed that the protestors had won. As I suspected the city took a wait and see approach. When the time was right DHS would make its move.
- Wait till no one looking.
- Move the homeless into the hotel through the back door.
- Do it in broad daylight? No, late at night, a quiet night.
Note to Maspeth: Usually, this type of thing happens under cover of darkness. This is the DHS version of the “midnight move.”
The city’s explanation
The DHS released a statement Monday saying,
“Due to local opposition to housing homeless New Yorkers, we have not been able to convert this site into a full shelter at this time. We are renting rooms for employed single adults and providing onsite services and security.”
See article: CITY RENTS ROOMS FOR HOMELESS MEN AT MASPETH HOTEL DESPITE PROTESTS
http://abc7ny.com/news/city-rents-rooms-for-homeless-men-at-maspeth-hotel-despite-protests/1549099/
City Backs Off Maspeth Homeless Shelter Plan After Local Opposition
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161010/maspeth/maspeth-hotel-shelter-plan-abandoned-by-city
Where are they coming from?
My article, Another Protest Against Homeless Shelters pointed to the emptying of the Bedford Ave Armory. This location is also known as Brooklyn Men’s Shelter. There are plans to convert it to upscale housing. But first, the city needed to move the homeless. Again I ask, “Where did the homeless of the Bedford Armory go? Let’s look at the city’s attempted “midnight move” of the homeless into a hotel.
- Where did these 30 homeless men come from?
- Why is the city locked into this location as a shelter?
- If the city planned on dealing with the neighborhood fairly why sneak them in?
- How many was the city planning on moving in before they got caught?
- How much is the city paying in rent to the hotel?
You have just read News Update: Maspeth Protest back on. DHS moves in 30
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and nothing stated here is legal advice. This article applies to the five boroughs of New York. All information deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Always check the real estate laws in your part of the country.
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