Bronx Community Board Four Opposes New Transitional Housing Facility

Bronx CB 4 & community leaders are opposing a proposed project in CB 4. Here are the details.

 

Who:        Bronx Community Board Four & Community Leaders

What:        Tier II Transitional Facility on the Grand Concourse

Where:        1387 Grand Concourse

When:         10:00 am; Monday, October 21, 2013  

Why:        It is our opinion that the City continues to disregard the spirit of the City Charter with respect to fair share analysis and siting procedures throughout our neighborhoods.  While we sympathize with the individual and or families in need of supportive services, we simply cannot and will not continue to support developments like 1387 Grand Concourse.  Our decision is not based on any bias towards a particular group or population but rather our dismay over the continued site selection and notification of such facilities.  The Community Board argues that the selected site will cause a considerable increase in the already congested residential neighborhood and furthermore this district cannot thrive under these conditions.  

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Here is the letter sent to Mr. Issac Leshinsky of Housing Bridge.

October 17, 2013

Isaac Leshinsky

President & CEO

Housing Bridge, Inc.  

652 Willoughby Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11206

Dear Mr. Leshinsky:

Please be advised that on October 16th we received your letter outlining your intent to acquire 42 units at 1387 Grand Concourse for the purposes of operating a Tier II Transitional Housing Facility.  While we sympathize with the individual and or families in need of such services, we simply cannot and will not support your efforts to secure approval from DHS.  Understand our decision is not based on any bias towards Housing Bridge and the work that you do, but rather our dismay over site selection and notification of such facilities.   

Community Board Four has taken the position that the fair share analysis is inadequate and does not involve true “community notification” by either potential organizations or the administrative agency.  The care of this population, indeed a noble task, is not the issue it is the inundation of supportive facilities in District Four.  

It is our responsibility to provide the services and resources to community districts that will enable them to thrive and meet their goals.  The service demands of each neighborhood and constituency in our district must be matched with the appropriate response, not only from the appropriate City agency but from all our residents in order to create healthy living conditions in our fast-growing community.  We will do our best to ensure that our community district is made aware and act accordingly as we stand at the forefront in protecting and servicing our citizenry.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Saunders

Board Chair