Closing Bell: Bed Stuy Residents to Rally Against Proposed Supportive Housing Development This Weekend

A project designed to house people with mental health issues is meeting resistance from Bed Stuy residents. A number of people who live near 431-433 Herkimer Street, a large vacant lot at the corner of Albany Avenue, are protesting the proposed construction of a six-story building on the site. The project is being developed through The Bridge program, which provides housing for people with mental illness and/or substance abuse. Here’s the gist of it: “Our first project in Brooklyn, the 60-unit building will house a mix of populations: homeless veterans with mental health or substance abuse diagnoses, young adults with mental health issues referred from residential foster care or children’s mental health facilities, and low income families from the local Bed-Sty community.” Nearby residents are concerned with overpopulation, (there are two multi-dwelling buildings already under construction on Fulton Street at Albany and Troy Avenues), an over-saturation of Social Services Programs in Bed Stuy, and the out-of-context design of the building. Elected officials including Councilmember Albert Vann, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson, and Senator Velmanette Montgomery do support the housing proposal. A rally will be held by residents against the project on Saturday, June 2nd, from 11am – 3pm. For more info, contact Nikita Bowen at msnbowen@gmail.com. You can also read more over at Bed Stuy Patch.
Photo via PropertyShark