Crown Heights Residents Secure 6–2 Vote Against Proposed 530 Utica Avenue Homeless Shelter

More than 20 Lubavitchers joined neighborhood residents at Community Board 9 meeting; proposal heads to another vote on November 19.

Crown Heights residents made their voices heard Tuesday evening as the proposed homeless shelter at 530 Utica Avenue received a 6–2 vote against the project during the Brooklyn Community Board 9 Land Use Committee meeting.

More than 20 Lubavitchers joined concerned neighborhood residents at the meeting, speaking out against the proposed development and expressing concerns about the growing concentration of homeless shelters and supportive housing projects surrounding Crown Heights.

The proposed development, located at the corner of Utica Avenue and Rutland Road, calls for a 15-story building containing 224 units, with 30% designated for supportive housing. RiseBoro is slated to become the future owner of the property.

The proposal comes amid ongoing concerns over several other shelter and supportive housing developments in the surrounding area, including the under-construction Crown Heights Mega Shelter, the 110-room Breaking Ground shelter, the migrant shelter at 599 Utica Avenue, and the recently opened Utica Crescent development.

Tuesday night's 6–2 vote represents an important step in the community's opposition to the proposal. However, the process is not over.

The project is expected to come before the full Brooklyn Community Board 9 General Meeting on November 19, where another crucial vote will take place.

Community members are being urged to attend the upcoming meeting and continue making their voices heard.

Tuesday night's turnout demonstrated the level of community involvement in the issue, with residents coming together to express their concerns about the future of their neighborhood.

The next major meeting is November 19, and residents are being encouraged to attend.