Bronx council member pushes for fair distribution of transitional housing
Residents and community boards report concerns about loitering, encampments, and increased 911 calls.
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Council Member Rafael Salamanca is calling out the unequal distribution of transitional housing in the borough, saying it's a burden on certain neighborhoods. He says his district alone has around 60 transitional housing facilities, primarily due to cheaper land costs in the area.
Local leaders say the concentration of shelters in specific Bronx neighborhoods is creating issues for residents. Rafael Moure-Punnett, district manager for Community Board 6, explains that without guidelines for shelter placement, developers tend to choose the most affordable locations.
Residents and community boards report concerns about loitering, encampments, and increased 911 calls.
Salamanca says that in the last six months, 80% of emergency calls from the 41st Precinct were linked to a single shelter. Salamanca’s proposed solution: require special permits for additional shelters in neighborhoods already hosting 25 or more.
