An Emergency Shelter in Gowanus

Welcome with Dignity [View this email in your browser]( Dear {NAME}, - Join me in wishing our Muslim neighbors across District 39 and NYC a blessed month of Ramadan! I am especially grateful to [CHiPS’]( generous partnership with my office and hosting a culturally relevant food distribution in Kensington to ensure families are prepared for the weeks ahead. Whether you fast or not, I pray this month is filled with reflection, mutual aid, and community! I am personally excited for this Ramadan because it’s my first married Ramadan! I’ll be all across the district and NYC joining many festive iftars (fast-breaking meal) and highlighting food justice champions. You can follow along on my Instagram: [@shahanafrombk](. - We are still unable to offer in-person appointments with extremely limited exceptions. If you need help, call us at (718) 499-1090 or send us an email at district39@council.nyc.gov.  Proposed Gowanus Shelter Public Meeting Summary and My Position This week my office hosted a town hall meeting on the new emergency shelter in Gowanus, which will house up to 400 asylum seekers—single adult men. The site will be operated by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and managed day-to-day by a contracted nonprofit provider, BHRAGS Home Care, Corp. An opening date has not yet been determined, though we anticipate it will open sometime in the Spring. This public forum brought together neighbors, Community Board 6, overlapping elected offices, representatives from DHS and BHRAGS so that all stakeholders could share relevant information and develop an open line of communication. It's important to note that the decision to establish Emergency Shelter sites falls under the exclusive purview of the Mayor's Office and is not subject to any public approval process. My office did not play a role in this shelter being sited. With that said, I want to be transparent and share that I will not be opposing this shelter or advocating for reduced bed numbers nor a delayed opening date. As the City confronts an unprecedented shortage of shelter beds, denying or delaying these 400 beds in Gowanus would only contribute to more individuals being unhoused on the streets. Despite having access to public transit and a robust social service network, our District has significantly fewer shelters compared to the city average. It's vital for all of our communities to step up to address this issue together. While we may not always agree here in District 39, I strongly believe in listening to the concerns and questions of my constituents. Many questions regarding on-site case management, the provider’s track record, food, and more are absolutely valid and my office will be following up. You have my word that my staff and I will be available as a resource as this site goes online. Upon learning about the new shelter at the end of last year, I've been actively coordinating the local electeds, Community Board 6, DHS, and BHRAGS and advocating for policy solutions to minimize disruptions in our community. Additionally, guaranteeing dignified conditions for shelter residents is a priority for me, and I'm committed to holding DHS and BHRAGS accountable to meeting these standards. Let's work together to ensure the needs of both our longtime neighbors and newest neighbors are met with respect and dignity. Community Bulletin - The e-waste drop-off on Sunday, 4/28 in Kensington has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict! As we find a new date for the event, check out the [LES Ecology website]( for other events in the meantime. - Do you love biking and want to start a bike club? [Ride Leader Academy applications]( are now open through 3/7 and will provide you with the training and skills to become a local ride leader in your community. Learn safety protocols, how to pick routes, how to manage a group of cyclists, and more. - South Brooklyn Sanctuary is offering free legal help for TPS applications and Work Authorization permits. Sign up for their resources in [Arabic]( [French]( and [Spanish](. - It’s time to renew your property tax exemptions! If you have the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE), the Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DHE), or the Clergy exemption, the deadline to submit renewal applications is 3/15. Property owners who must renew their benefits have been mailed notification letters. Please review the eligibility requirements for [SCHE]( [DHE]( and other [benefits]( online before submitting your forms. - As a reminder, [HEAP]( benefit applications will be accepted through 3/15! Paper applications can be downloaded and printed from the [OTDA website]( or requested by calling the DSS at (718) 557-1399. If eligible, households will receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help pay for heating their homes. - Join a hands-on [Zine 101 workshop for Adults & Teens at Interference Archive]( on 3/26. - Don’t wait until 4/15 to file your taxes! NYC Free Tax Prep offers a variety of free tax prep options, including in-person, virtual, and drop-off options. For more information, contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep. - [North Star Fund]( is inviting new groups to apply for grants to support grassroots organizing in NYC and the Hudson Valley. [Learn more and apply by 3/29.]( - Scholarship opportunities for One World Project’s preschool, afterschool, and camp programs are open! If your household has a combined yearly income of $150,000 or less consider applying, by submitting your tax returns to scholarships@oneworldproject.org along with your [online application](. In Solidarity, Shahana [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Website icon]( Our mailing address is: New York City Council 456 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215-8125 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( [Mailchimp Email Marketing](