Lackluster Defense of Ft. Greene Shelter Conditions

Last night Community Board 2’s Health, Environment and Social Services Committee held a meeting with the Department of Homeless Services concerning the Auburn Family Shelter, the facility in the middle of the Walt Whitman Houses at 39 Auburn Place, in Fort Greene. Previous complaints from Auburn residents have been documented extensively and include, according to a Local article, “Inadequate food, inadequate medical attention, a leaky roof, moldy rooms and bathrooms with broken sinks and doors… insufficient security and fire safety protections, fetid odors, and leaks from waste containers.” Residents have also complained about inadequate heating during winter months. CB2 prepared a list of questions for the four DHS reps and the shelter director in attendance. However, reps claimed they were “unprepared” to answer the questions and needed to time to talk to the building manager to address any building concerns.

Click through to read about the questions from CB2, including elevator breakdowns, reported abuse from staff and DHS’s response to the heating complaints…

DHS told CB2 that the building “complied to heating regulations” and there were multi-million dollar capital improvements to the windows to keep residents warm. They also said a Community Advisory Board would be starting immediately to further address concerns. But when CB2 pressed on details, DHS backed down. They couldn’t answer questions about whether the bathrooms had been improved since they were last checked and deemed not up to code. When a board member inquired about claims that some residents had to wait hours for broken elevators to be fixed, a DHS rep dismissed the stories, calling them “unlikely.” There have also been charges that staff members engage in verbal abuse, but all the shelter director said was that complaints were “addressed immediately.” The entire building, which serves approximately 60 families, only has one microwave. DHS said another microwave was purchased but had recently broken down. CB2 and Fort Greene SNAP have vowed to donate extras. Finally, despite a stated need for on-site childcare, no one has been hired for the service because Auburn’s current program (which connects children with off-site care) meets regulatory standards.

DHS asked if they could provide more details about the state of the shelter in writing, but CB2 pressed for a follow-up meeting. The date for that has not yet been set.
Photo via Brooklyn Rail