Let’s be crystal clear: We reject your 225 25th Street development. You are not welcome in our neighborhood!
You’ve ignored more than a year of firm opposition from our community, letters from our Congressman, and our Council Member (attached). Yet somehow, you still push forward Mr. Levitan’s deeply troubling shelter project.
Now your team will march into the Community Board 7 Housing Committee meeting on September 15th to present “your wonderful plan.”
We’ll be there too—looking you in the eye and saying what you refuse to hear: Enough is enough. But honestly, we doubt you’ll show up yourself.
And let’s talk about conflicts of interest. Your Chief of Staff, Martha Kenton, just recently held a top post at DSS/DHS—the very agency now handing you this super lucrative contract. A revolving door, how convenient! As if that weren’t enough, Ms. Kenton is also currently the subject of a lawsuit alleging discrimination and workplace mobbing against an older Muslim woman DSS employee. Serious allegations, but clearly not serious enough to give you pause. Why? Because your backdoor deal with a known slumlord will be signed, sealed, and delivered.
Your bloated CEO salary is paid by our tax dollars. We are confused by a board that congratulates itself for “helping the homeless” in a display of moral posturing, while siting another shelter within two blocks of five existing shelters, in a toxic warehouse unfit for residential use.
You don’t get it, do you? No means NO!
We will not be gaslit, we will not be ignored, and we will not roll over for your shady deal.
We demand that the city and all of its contracted non-profits follow the city’s fair share policy and work exclusively with ethical landlords and developers.
So here’s the message, plain enough: DO NOT COME. And to put it politely—though you hardly deserve it—YOU ARE NOT WELCOME!
// Por favor, desplácese hacia abajo para leer en español.
Dear Neighbors,
We want to take a moment to thank everyone who contacted Council Member Alexa Avilés, called her office, and supported our commitment to fair share and transparency over the past year. Our pleas made a real impact.
• Congressman Goldman called out the unjust concentration of shelters in Sunset Park and urged the City to stop this project, pointing to safety concerns and the ongoing burden placed on immigrant and working-class neighborhoods.
• Council Member Avilés forcefully corrected the record and reaffirmed her long-standing opposition to this shelter. She called for the City to follow its Fair Share policy and to shift focus from temporary sheltering to permanent, affordable housing. She cites the city’s “perverse incentive for funding these temporary sites at top dollar.”
We’re proud to see our community and elected officials aligned in demanding fairness, justice, and long-term solutions.
We also want to extend our sincere thanks to John Blasco, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Goldman, for his direct engagement and consistent communication with our community. His responsiveness has been essential in making sure our concerns were heard.
If the City “insists” on using David Levitan’s building for any purpose, then we reiterate our support for truly affordable, long-term housing at 225 25th Street—not a congregate shelter. Based on submitted plans and our own observations, the site could also house essential services: a public library, community programs, and job training. With proper support and a trusted local partner, this site could become a lasting community hub—one that actually meets local needs.
Let’s be clear: our neighborhood has long welcomed those in need. But we are calling for better services, meaningful support, and transparency—not shady backroom deals, mismanaged facilities, or the continued warehousing of vulnerable New Yorkers in already overburdened districts. As part of this effort, we are advocating for the creation of community advisory boards to provide oversight and accountability in the operation of existing facilities.
The fight is not over, and the shelter is still planned to open despite widespread community and elected official opposition. We have already reached out to the Deputy Mayor and DSS Commissioner to call for an immediate stop. We will keep pushing—at every level of city government—until our neighborhood is treated fairly and our voices are respected.
Thank you again for your support.
GWHA
———————
La concejala Alexa Avilés y el congresista Dan Goldman se oponen formalmente al albergue en 225 25th Street
Queridos vecinos,
Queremos tomar un momento para agradecer a todas las personas que se comunicaron con la oficina de la concejala Alexa Avilés, la llamaron y apoyaron nuestro compromiso con la equidad y la transparencia a lo largo del último año. Sus esfuerzos tuvieron un verdadero impacto.
• El congresista Goldman señaló la injusta concentración de albergues en Sunset Park y pidió a la Ciudad que detuviera este proyecto, señalando preocupaciones de seguridad y la carga desproporcionada que enfrentan las comunidades inmigrantes y trabajadoras.
• La concejala Avilés corrigió con firmeza la versión oficial y reafirmó su oposición sostenida a este albergue. Exigió que la Ciudad cumpla con su política de “Fair Share” y deje de enfocarse en refugios temporales, promoviendo en su lugar vivienda permanente y verdaderamente asequible. En sus palabras, la ciudad ha creado un “incentivo perverso” al financiar refugios temporales a precios inflados.
Nos enorgullece ver que nuestra comunidad y sus representantes electos están unidos en la lucha por la equidad, la justicia y soluciones reales a largo plazo.
También queremos extender nuestro sincero agradecimiento a John Blasco, jefe de gabinete adjunto del congresista Goldman, por su compromiso directo y comunicación constante con nuestra comunidad. Su respuesta oportuna ha sido fundamental para que nuestras preocupaciones fueran escuchadas.
Si la Ciudad insiste en utilizar el edificio de David Levitan para cualquier propósito, reiteramos nuestro apoyo a un proyecto de vivienda permanente y verdaderamente asequible en el 225 de la calle 25—no a un albergue colectivo. Según los planos presentados y nuestras propias observaciones, el sitio también podría albergar servicios esenciales como una biblioteca pública, programas comunitarios y capacitación laboral. Con el apoyo adecuado y un socio local confiable, este espacio podría transformarse en un verdadero centro comunitario, alineado con las necesidades reales del vecindario.
Queremos ser claros: nuestro vecindario siempre ha sido acogedor con quienes más lo necesitan. Pero exigimos mejores servicios, apoyo real y transparencia, no tratos oscuros, instalaciones mal administradas, ni más “almacenamiento” de personas vulnerables en comunidades que ya están sobrecargadas. Como parte de esta lucha, estamos impulsando la creación de consejos comunitarios de supervisión para garantizar mayor rendición de cuentas en el funcionamiento de los albergues existentes.
La lucha no ha terminado, y el albergue sigue en planes de abrirse a pesar de la amplia oposición de la comunidad y de representantes electos. Ya hemos contactado a la Vicealcaldía y a la Comisionada del DSS para exigir que se detenga inmediatamente este proyecto. Seguiremos presionando, en todos los niveles del gobierno de la ciudad, hasta que nuestro vecindario sea tratado con equidad y nuestras voces sean respetadas.
We write again on behalf of the Greenwood Heights Association and our deeply concerned community members. We urgently request your immediate intervention to address a situation that has become profoundly unfair and untenable.
Despite widespread community opposition, thousands of petition signatures, and serious concerns regarding safety, equity, and transparency, we learned that the city continues to aggressively push forward with the 225 25th Street shelter. This shelter, led by notorious developer David Levitan—who has an alarming track record of violations and corruption—risks becoming a devastating reality imposed upon our neighborhood without any accountability.
Mr. Adams, when we handed you our letter at a Clinton Hill event organized by Renee Collymore on April 6th, you personally acknowledged our concerns and the unfair burden we face. While we appreciated your recognition, we now urgently need decisive action.
We are not refusing responsibility. We demand equitable distribution across New York City. A contaminated warehouse-style shelter in an already overwhelmed neighborhood literally next door to an education center and a pre-K center, in a known hot-spot for drug activity, less than a block away from the only subway station that has just one entrance and exit, is unjust and irresponsible. Additionally, the city and the proposed non-profit have done zero community engagement for this site, despite promises over the last year to do so.
Congressman Dan Goldman has also met with us, listened to our concerns, and recognized the gravity of this situation, acknowledging that it transcends mere zoning—it is fundamentally about safety, equity, and good governance.
We respectfully and urgently request your leadership: Please stop this shelter project immediately and thoroughly investigate the questionable processes and contracts behind it.
Mayor Adams, your action now will clearly demonstrate your administration’s commitment to equity, justice, and transparency for all New Yorkers. It is election season, andthousands of residents, families, workers, and small businesses of Greenwood Heights depend on your fairness and integrity.
Please act swiftly—our community is counting on you.
A politically connected nonprofit is trying to force a 200-bed, warehouse-style men’s shelter into a small, working-class Brooklyn neighborhood—one that already has more than 14 shelters, while wealthier nearby districts have only a few.
The nonprofit? Help USA—founded by Andrew Cuomo, and run for decades by his sister, Maria Cuomo Cole.
On paper, it’s a charity. In reality, it’s a $2.1 billion political machine, funded by your tax dollars.
To push this project through with Mayor Adams’ office, Help USA is partnering with David Levitan—one of the city’s most notorious slumlords, known for buildings riddled with violations, lawsuits, and neglect.
Help USA’s track record? • A man trapped in an elevator for four days • Residents freezing through the winter • Raw sewage in bathrooms • Black mold on walls and ceilings • And in Philadelphia, a 12-year-old girl died after years of ignored complaints about mold and leaks
While the most vulnerable suffer, Help USA’s CEO pockets nearly $450,000 a year. (For comparison: a New York City social worker earns around $65,000.)
And just months ago, Martha Kenton—now Help USA’s Chief of Staff—left her senior post at the Department of Social Services, the very agency now awarding Help USA this contract. We’ve reported this revolving-door corruption to the Department of Investigation.
This is not about helping the homeless. It’s about power, profit, and political favors—at the expense of neighborhoods like Greenwood Heights.
Our neighbors are organizing a Spring Cleanup to bring the community together and clean the streets. Trash bags, gloves, and supplies will be provided.
This is an excellent opportunity to take care of our streets and green spaces as we head into spring. Whether you can join for 30 minutes or the full event, your participation makes a difference.
Want to help out? Questions? Email: cleanupgreenwood11215@gmail.com
Greenwood Heights Association Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY
March 26, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Urgent: Greenwood Heights, Sunset Park Residents Demand Criminal Investigation and Halt Hazardous 225 25th Street Warehouse-Shelter Project
The Greenwood Heights community is urgently calling to stop a warehouse-style shelter being constructed at 225 25th Street, Brooklyn, 11232—a project which is quietly being approved by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and awarded to David Levitan, one of New York City’s most notorious slumlords.
While shelters are being closed across the five boroughs, our neighborhood—bounded by 3rd and 5th Avenues between 20th and 40th Streets—is being strained yet again. With approximately 10 to 15% of our local population currently residing in shelters, compared to the citywide average of 1.37%, Greenwood Heights, Sunset Park, bears a disproportionate burden. This is a clear violation of the City’s Fair Share Policy, designed to equitably distribute social services across all neighborhoods.
Now, without transparency, independent public review, or community input, the city plans to add over 200+ men to a large-scale congregate facility in a semi-industrial zone plagued by public safety issues, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient infrastructure. The 25th Street subway station faces significant challenges with safety concerns. Proposing a new shelter in an area marked by narrow, dimly lit streets, warehouses, vacant lots, and limited social services requires careful evaluation. There is a risk of unintended negative impacts for those who rely on the 23rd–26th Street corridors daily.
The Developer: A Public Threat
The shelter is being developed by David Levitan, whose name is synonymous with tenant abuse, unsafe buildings, and unchecked profiteering. With thousands of open housing violations, Levitan’s portfolio of shelters and buildings has been repeatedly flagged by media and oversight bodies for endangering vulnerable populations. He is currently under scrutiny for unsafe construction practices at the 25th Street site itself, with a rushed renovation disturbing an asbestos-laden building next to a Pre-K.
Call for a Criminal Investigation
During the De Blasio administration, and continuing now under Adams, multimillion-dollar contracts have been quietly handed to non-profits who work with developers like Levitan with minimal oversight. Greenwood Heights, in particular, has become a target for hotel and warehouse-style shelters. A polluted, hazardous, and poorly constructed shelter is being forced into a neighborhood that already houses more shelter beds per capita than almost anywhere else in the city, violating established city policies.
The city’s decision to work again with Levitan raises deep concerns about corruption and cronyism. We demand a full investigation by the New York State Attorney General, the Brooklyn District Attorney, or the Eastern District of New York into the awarding of this contract—and others—the legality of the development process, and any backroom dealings between DSS, lobbyists, and the developer.
Community Outrage and Urgent Demands
Our community comprises working-class residents and small business owners who rely on elected officials to act in the public interest. Instead, we face silence and neglect from elected officials who can intervene. We are calling on Mayor’s Office, Commissioner Molly Park, City Council leadership, and all city and state oversight bodies to:
Immediately halt construction at 225 25th Street;
Enforce New York City’s Fair Share Policy, including a moratorium on new shelters in Greenwood Heights until equitable distribution citywide is achieved;
Support permanent housing and dignified, community-based care models, not dangerous warehouse shelters that negatively impact both residents and shelter occupants.
This is not about NIMBYism. We support safe, humane housing and comprehensive services for those in need. But warehouse shelters siloed in limited neighborhoods and developed by bad actors are a failed model—dangerous for permanent and temporary residents. Greenwood Heights will not be sacrificed to political negligence and developer greed.
We stand united and will continue to organize, speak out, and fight for a fair and just city.
This week, DHS informed us, local elected officials, and the community board that David Levitan’s massive warehouse shelter facility at 225 25th Street is scheduled to open this year. If this project moves forward, it will house 200+ men in a congregate facility.
While shelters are closing across New York City, our neighborhood is again targeted for another large-scale facility—with zero transparency, no community input, and no clear strategy for long-term solutions. Most troubling is the involvement of David Levitan, one of New York City’s worst landlords, notorious for thousands of open housing violations and dangerous facility management.
Our community deserves answers:
What obligations do city officials have to Levitan and his associates to repeatedly award them lucrative no-bid shelter contracts?
Why is our neighborhood continuously burdened with shelter after shelter, and why does the city not follow its fair share policy when it comes to Sunset Park?
The consequences of this decision are deeply troubling and cannot be ignored. The 25th Street subway station is already known for safety issues, hygiene concerns, and overcrowding. Now, imagine adding over 200+ men to this environment—with narrow, poorly-lit streets, a subway station with only one exit, warehouses, empty lots, and inadequate social services and infrastructure—is a serious and immediate risk to every community member—especially residents who rely on the 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th Street corridors daily. This decision dangerously compromises the safety of our entire community.
Let’s be clear: We support providing proper housing and comprehensive social services that respect the dignity, privacy, and safety of vulnerable individuals in our district. However, extensive research consistently shows that large-scale warehouse shelters are unsafe, dehumanizing, and ineffective. They often fail the very people they intend to help, forcing many individuals back onto the streets—that is exactly what we are afraid of.
Our City Council representative holds significant power to influence this decision. It’s crucial to communicate clearly to them that our community’s support and votes depend on effectively opposing Levitan’s plans. Local elected officials have substantial influence, especially when communities like ours are unfairly impacted.
It is important to note that Levitan is an extremely powerful developer with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake. Their co-conspirators appear in many forms and shapes: non-profit managers, “artists” selling “creative placemaking” services, city officials, and local influencers who leverage their positions to intimidate and silence neighbors who raise their basic legitimate concerns. It’s crucial that we recognize their tactics clearly and engage strategically—staying focused on the facts, and adherence to city policies.
Our strength lies in unified, informed collective action grounded in truth. We firmly support humane and dignified public housing for everyone—not warehouses run by corrupt developers who exploit vulnerable communities for profit. The current system is fundamentally broken. We demand transparency, accountability, and genuine long-term housing solutions; anything less perpetuates injustice, deepens inequality, and compromises the health and safety of our neighborhoods.
Now, We Need Your Support!
We’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover essential costs: https://gofund.me/4396b3b6. Donations will support printing, web services, email marketing tools, and community outreach and ads. Your contribution will help us effectively fight back and maintain transparent communication. All finances will be openly shared on our website. If we surpass our funding goals, we aim to hire legal representation to protect our community from exploitation by unethical developers.
We urgently need volunteers, including legal experts, advocates, and committed residents who can gather signatures, and reach out to other neighbors. Please reply to this email and tell us how you would like to help.
We are in conversation with our community board and will hold an internal GWHA community meeting soon—tentatively scheduled for April 3rd, 4th, or 5th. Please stay tuned for details.
**Please widely share this announcement with your local networks, community groups, and associations
Urgente: Albergue Masivo para Más de 200 Hombres en 225 25th Street—¡Debemos Actuar Ahora!
Queridos Vecinos,
Esta semana, el DHS nos informó a nosotros, a los funcionarios electos locales y a la junta comunitaria que la enorme instalación de refugio tipo almacén de David Levitan en 225 25th Street está programada para abrir este año. Si este proyecto avanza, albergará a más de 200 hombres en un espacio compartido.
Mientras los albergues están cerrando en toda la ciudad, nuestro vecindario vuelve a ser el objetivo de otra instalación a gran escala—sin transparencia, sin consulta comunitaria y sin una estrategia clara para soluciones a largo plazo. Lo más preocupante es la participación de David Levitan, uno de los peores propietarios de Nueva York, conocido por miles de violaciones de vivienda y por administrar instalaciones en condiciones peligrosas.
Nuestra comunidad merece respuestas:
¿Por qué nuestro vecindario sigue siendo sobrecargado con refugios, mientras la ciudad ignora su propia política de distribución equitativa en Sunset Park?
¿Qué compromisos tienen los funcionarios de la ciudad con Levitan y sus socios para otorgarles contratos millonarios sin licitación una y otra vez?
Las consecuencias de esta decisión son alarmantes y no pueden ser ignoradas. La estación del metro de 25th Street ya es conocida por problemas de seguridad, higiene y hacinamiento. Ahora, imaginen agregar más de 200 hombres a este entorno—con calles estrechas y mal iluminadas, una estación de metro con una sola salida, almacenes, terrenos baldíos y una infraestructura social insuficiente. Esto representa un grave e inmediato riesgo para toda la comunidad, especialmente para los residentes que dependen diariamente de los corredores de las calles 23rd, 24th, 25th y 26th.
No nos equivoquemos: No estamos en contra de la vivienda digna.
Apoyamos la creación de vivienda adecuada y servicios sociales integrales que respeten la dignidad, privacidad y seguridad de las personas vulnerables. Pero los refugios masivos tipo almacén no son la solución. Numerosos estudios han demostrado que estos albergues son inseguros, deshumanizantes e ineficaces. A menudo, fallan en ayudar a las personas que más lo necesitan, empujándolas nuevamente a las calles—y eso es precisamente lo que tememos.
Nuestros funcionarios electos pueden detener esto.
Nuestra representante del Concejo Municipal tiene poder para frenar esta decisión. Es fundamental dejar en claro que nuestra comunidad apoya a quienes se oponen al plan de Levitan y que nuestros votos dependerán de su compromiso.
Levitan y sus aliados usan tácticas de intimidación.
Levitan es un desarrollador con cientos de millones de dólares en juego. Sus cómplices aparecen en distintas formas: administradores de organizaciones sin fines de lucro que dependen de su financiamiento, “artistas” que venden servicios de “placemaking” a desarrolladores, funcionarios de la ciudad y personas influyentes locales que usan su poder para intimidar y silenciar a los vecinos que expresan preocupaciones legítimas. Es crucial reconocer sus tácticas y responder con hechos, organización y una defensa clara de nuestras políticas locales.
Exigimos transparencia y responsabilidad.
Nuestra fuerza radica en la acción colectiva, informada y unificada. Apoyamos la creación de vivienda pública digna y humana, no almacenes administrados por desarrolladores corruptos que explotan a las comunidades vulnerables para enriquecerse. El sistema actual está roto, y exigimos soluciones reales y a largo plazo. Cualquier otra cosa perpetúa la injusticia, profundiza la desigualdad y pone en riesgo la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros vecindarios.
Las donaciones ayudarán a financiar impresiones, servicios web, herramientas de correo electrónico y anuncios para difusión comunitaria. Tu contribución nos permitirá organizar una defensa efectiva y mantener una comunicación transparente. Todas las finanzas serán publicadas en nuestra página web. Si superamos nuestra meta, destinaremos los fondos adicionales a contratar asesoría legal para proteger a nuestra comunidad de desarrolladores abusivos.
Necesitamos voluntarios, incluyendo expertos legales, defensores comunitarios y vecinos comprometidos para ayudar con recolección de firmas y difusión. Responde a este correo y dinos cómo te gustaría ayudar.
Estamos en comunicación con nuestra junta comunitaria y pronto organizaremos una reunión interna de GWHA—tentativamente programada para los días 3, 4 o 5 de abril. Mantente atento a más detalles.
Comparte ampliamente este anuncio con tus redes, grupos comunitarios y asociaciones locales.
¡Esta es nuestra comunidad y juntos podemos defenderla!
Open Letter From Greenwood Heights Association, Representing Over 800 Residents and Business Owners: An Urgent Call for Transparency and Equity in Shelter Planning at 225 25th Street, Brooklyn
Dear Mayor Adams,
We are writing to you as a community that feels increasingly overlooked and overwhelmed by decisions that directly impact our lives and our neighborhood’s future. While we have been told by DHS management that the proposed shelter at 225 25th Street, Brooklyn, has not been approved, the ongoing frantic renovations at the site—carried out by a developer with a troubling history—have left us deeply concerned and even more disheartened.
David Levitan (Liberty One LLC), the developer involved in this project, has an alarming record of 1,871 open violations across his properties. This includes numerous safety and construction violations, demonstrating a blatant disregard for basic regulatory standards and the livelihood of the people of this beautiful city. Our experience as a community has shown that such developers, coupled with questionable non-profits, often prioritize profit over people, leaving shelter residents and neighborhood communities to deal with the consequences of their negligence. Nevertheless, the city keeps insisting on working with such developers. For instance, according to a recent FOIL request, the city is paying more than $52,000 per day for Levitan’s recently opened 3rd Street shelter in Gowanus–which amounts to over $44 million between 2024 and 2026. Of that, Levitan’s real estate company will collect over $13.5 million in rent alone for a building he purchased for $19.5 million. Additionally, $8.25 million is being allocated just for security, with no transparency about how the money is spent. The city effectively is paying this NGO/developer-combo upwards of $5,000 per person a month. Imagine what that $44 million could do if invested in affordable housing or critical services for our community! These are the types of contracts that developers like Levitan thrive on while our neighborhood continues to suffer.
The lack of accountability surrounding this project—and others like it—only adds to our frustration. Despite assurances that the shelter is “very early in the consideration pipeline,” ongoing construction and the absence of transparency suggest otherwise. Our concerns have been ignored, and decisions made behind closed doors. As residents and business owners, we wonder who is looking out for us, especially when our local representatives seem unwilling to take a clear position for their community.
Our neighborhood, Greenwood Heights, Sunset Park, has consistently shouldered an inequitable share of shelters, with nine within a seven-block radius of the proposed site. This intense clustering violates the City’s Fair Share Criteria and has left us grappling with a strained infrastructure, overwhelmed resources, and mounting safety concerns.
Over 800 residents and business owners have signed our petition demanding action, yet our voices continue to go unheard.
We are not writing to oppose helping those in need. We want well-run, transparent public shelters equitably distributed across all neighborhoods. We cannot accept a system that overburdens already struggling communities while rewarding untrustworthy developers and non-profits.
We turn to you, Mayor Adams, because leadership begins with listening to the people you serve. We request your intervention to restore fairness and trust in this process. Specifically, we urge you to ensure equity and conduct a citywide review of shelter placements to confirm adherence to Fair Share Criteria and halt further clustering in Greenwood Heights. Also, we want you to direct DSS/DHS to engage with our community, hold a town hall meeting to address our concerns, and allow for meaningful public dialogue.
Greenwood Heights is not asking for more than any neighborhood deserves—a voice in decisions shaping our future and a commitment to policies that serve everyone fairly. We ask you to stand with us and show that our community is not alone in this struggle for fairness, accountability, and equity.
Respectfully,
Greenwood Heights Association Representing more than 800 local residents and businesses
