Calls on Assembly to Pass Companion Legislation to Senator Klein’s Bill Requiring a Public Forum Prior to Shelter Siting
(QUEENS, NY) Tomorrow, Senator Tony Avella and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein will stand with elected officials and community activists to call for the rejection of the Samaritan Village proposal to convert the illegal Pan Am shelter into a permanent shelter. They will urge the Assembly to pass companion legislation to Senator Klein’s bill requiring that a public community forum is held prior to the approval of a shelter site.
Samaritan Village had previously proposed a 5-year, $42 million contract with the Department of Homeless Services to become a permanent shelter. The proposal was rejected in May, due to health and safety concerns, including fire code violations and a lack of kitchen facilities in the units. The proposal was resubmitted in June, and the Comptroller's office has until next week to accept or reject the proposal.
In addition, the local community was given no notice of the original placement of the shelter at the Pan Am hotel, and only discovered the shelter after it had already opened. The only public hearing was held months after the shelter was in operation. Senator Klein’s bill would require the New York City Planning Commission to hold a public community forum prior to the approval, modification or denial of a shelter site or lease renewal.
WHO: Senator Tony Avella, IDC Leader Jeff Klein, Senator Joseph Addabbo, Representative for Assembly Member Francisco Moya, Members of Elmhurst United, and others
WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, July 7th, at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Pan Am Hotel, 79-00 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, NY
(QUEENS, NY) Tomorrow, Senator Tony Avella and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein will stand with elected officials and community activists to call for the rejection of the Samaritan Village proposal to convert the illegal Pan Am shelter into a permanent shelter. They will urge the Assembly to pass companion legislation to Senator Klein’s bill requiring that a public community forum is held prior to the approval of a shelter site.
Samaritan Village had previously proposed a 5-year, $42 million contract with the Department of Homeless Services to become a permanent shelter. The proposal was rejected in May, due to health and safety concerns, including fire code violations and a lack of kitchen facilities in the units. The proposal was resubmitted in June, and the Comptroller's office has until next week to accept or reject the proposal.
In addition, the local community was given no notice of the original placement of the shelter at the Pan Am hotel, and only discovered the shelter after it had already opened. The only public hearing was held months after the shelter was in operation. Senator Klein’s bill would require the New York City Planning Commission to hold a public community forum prior to the approval, modification or denial of a shelter site or lease renewal.
WHO: Senator Tony Avella, IDC Leader Jeff Klein, Senator Joseph Addabbo, Representative for Assembly Member Francisco Moya, Members of Elmhurst United, and others
WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, July 7th, at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Pan Am Hotel, 79-00 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, NY
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