Proposal to Operate 200-Bed Center in Greenpoint for City Homeless Withdrawn

Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (D-Brooklyn) applauded the recent announcement that the proposal to build a 200-bed transitional residence for New York City’s homeless in Greenpoint has been withdrawn by its developers after concerns with the proposal were raised by constituents.

“It was never the intent of this facility to assist Greenpoint’s homeless population. Instead, it proposed bringing in 200 homeless men from outside the community,” said Senator Dilan. “This proposal would have done nothing to address the plight of Greenpoint’s homeless.”

Senator Dilan hosted town hall meetings together with Councilmember Stephen Levin (D-33) on the plan to operate the assessment center at 400 McGuinness Blvd. The meetings proved to be a forum for the community to voice its displeasure with the plan, including the disregard for the facilities impact on the community.

“For too long the Greenpoint community has been host to facilities and operations that have had long-lasting detrimental effects. Greenpoint has begun to turn a corner and it was wrong to think that in light of recent successes, such a facility was the right match for the community,” said Senator Dilan.

McGuiness Holdings, LLC and HELP Social Service Corporation, formally withdrew their proposal with the city Department of Homeless Services on February 4, 2011.