Dear neighbors,
Today is May 1, International Workers’ Day. We recognize this day as an important reminder that working people, immigrant communities, tenants, small businesses, and neighborhoods have always had to organize to be heard. Real change has never been handed down from above. It has been won through collective action, persistence, and solidarity.
That spirit matters today. Our community is facing a major siting decision being pushed forward without meaningful consent, and we need to respond together. We want to share an urgent update on the proposed shelter at 225 25th Street.
We have learned that the project appears to be moving forward, with a possible opening timeline of July 2026, though that date may change. Rooms are reportedly being outfitted, staff are being hired, and the shelter operator Help USA has begun outreach to some local institutions.
Let us be clear: our position has not changed. We oppose this siting.
We have been in contact with Council Member Alexa Avilés’s office and Congressman Dan Goldman’s office. Council Member Avilés’s office confirmed that her position has not changed. She continues to oppose this siting, as she did last year. Her office also confirmed that they have not agreed to meet with Help USA until broader community concerns are addressed. We thank Council Member Avilés and her staff, as well as Congressman Goldman’s office, for standing with the community and continuing to press for accountability.
This matters. The city should not be moving forward with a project of this scale while bypassing the elected officials who represent this neighborhood.
The Council Member’s office is also reviewing the city’s Fair Share analysis. One of the most troubling points is DSS’s claim that this facility “conforms with the character of the neighborhood.” In plain terms, DSS appears to be arguing that because our neighborhood already carries shelters and other burdening facilities, another one is acceptable. This is exactly the kind of circular logic the Fair Share policy was meant to prevent.
We also remain deeply concerned about Help USA as the proposed operator. Help USA currently operates the 39th Street Days Inn shelter, which has generated hundreds of 911 calls and remains a serious concern for many residents. Our neighborhood already has direct experience with the consequences of poorly planned and poorly managed shelters. If you live near the 39th Street shelter, please share any additional information or first-hand experience with us.
We were hopeful that a new administration would bring a new standard of transparency and accountability. But a new administration cannot continue City Hall’s old habits.
Mamdani Administration Should Stop Rewarding Corrupt Developers and Slumlords.
For too long, politically connected developers have been rewarded with public contracts while communities are left to absorb the consequences. The proposed shelter at 225 25th Street, connected to David Levitan / Liberty One Group, is another example of this broken system.
We believe the 225 25th Street project is a product of a deeply compromised shelter-siting process. It reflects the same old pattern: private real estate interests benefit, public money flows, and neighborhoods are expected to accept decisions made without meaningful transparency or consent.
We are now exploring legal options, including a possible lawsuit against the city based on Fair Share and related siting concerns. This would be a last resort. But if the city moves forward while bypassing our elected officials and ignoring community opposition, we may have no other choice.
Legal action is expensive. There are examples of communities challenging similar sitings, but it requires serious funding. At the moment, GWHA has about $700 left from last year. A lawsuit could require tens of thousands of dollars. We will need support from local businesses and residents.
We also need to be honest about capacity. We need more volunteers, more support, and more people willing to help with outreach, research, fundraising, legal coordination, media, and organizing.
If we do not organize, corruption wins.
We will continue to fight this through every available political, legal, and public channel. But we cannot do it alone. Please reply to this email if you can help, donate, connect us with legal resources, or support outreach to local businesses and institutions.
With urgency and determination,
GWHA
