Community Board 5 will be holding a public hearing on the Cooper Avenue homeless shelter on Monday, October 7, 2019 at Christ the King High School at 7:30pm. Please call (718) 366-1834 for more information or to pre-register to testify.

Received by Queens Community Board 5 on August 22, 2019:

Good afternoon Gary,

Per our discussion, DHS will be opening 2 homeless shelters in CB5.

The first site we spoke about, 78-16 Cooper Ave will be for 200 single adult males. As I mentioned on the call, this shelter will be for males experiencing homeless who are currently employed or who are seeking employment – same population as the Holiday Inn.

Population: 200 single adults experiencing homelessness who are currently employed or who are actively seeking employment
Provider: Westhab
Site to Open: Early 2020 opening.

• Westhab is moving forward on opening an employment site at 78-16 Cooper Ave for 200 single adults.
• This site will be for men experiencing homelessness who are currently employed or who are actively seeking employment: the program provides the necessary onsite services/supports such as job readiness training and job search assistance, with access to dedicated employment case managers and job developers focused on helping clients find and retain employment, while building income and achieving independence.

What services will Westhab offer onsite?
• Not-for-profit service provider Westhab manages high-quality transitional housing, helping individuals in need stabilize their lives and get back on their feet. Our partnership with Westhab at this location will continue that work by serving and supporting 200 individuals experiencing homelessness as they get back on their feet.
• Westhab will provide an array of on-site services and off-site service linkages, providing individuals with the support that will help them stabilize their lives by returning to and maintaining independent living.
o On-site services will include administration, case management, housing placement assistance, health/mental health services, screening/assessment/interventions for substance use challenges, and wellness classes.
o Off-site service linkages will include primary healthcare, health/mental health services, substance use treatment, vocational training, employment placement, GED instruction, conflict mediation, and legal services. Westhab is committed to working with CD5, local elected officials, and neighbors to facilitate employment opportunities for people living in the neighborhood, including posting in local papers and working with any local job developers for appropriate positions.
What is the security onsite?
• Additionally, a secure and safe environment is critical to the success of any program facility—and the NYPD works directly with DHS to oversee security in all shelters, including this one.
o Westhab will provide on-site security around-the-clock. Two security officers will be located at the entrance to control building access and to monitor security cameras, which will be located throughout the building and grounds. There will be a minimum of 6 security staff per shift and two supervisors overseeing security staff per shift.
o Westhab will also provide a 24-hour open line for the community to provide feedback in a timely manner and to immediately address any concerns that may arise.
o As an added measure, 75 security cameras will be installed throughout the building and across the shelter grounds. These cameras allow security officers to continually monitor compliance with house regulations and good neighbor policies both in and around the facility, acting as a deterrent for inappropriate or illegal activities. Recordings will be made available to authorities with proper legal documentation in the event that arrests or prosecution are warranted.
• There is a 10:00 PM curfew for individuals experiencing homelessness. Clients who may be employed with late work hours will receive passes to return to the facility after curfew based on their documented work schedule.

The second site we discussed, 1616 Summerfield Street for 132 families with children. Below I've included information on opening date, provider on site, services and security.
Population: 132 families with children
Provider: CORE
Site to Open: late 2020 opening

Top Lines
• CORE is moving forward on opening a site at 1616 Summerfield for 132 families.
• 1616 Summerfield Street will provide capacity for approximately for 132 families with children experiencing homelessness, with priority offered to those who have roots in Queens Community District 5.
• Our goal is to offer families experiencing homelessness in Queens the opportunity to be sheltered in their home borough, closer to their support networks, including schools, jobs, healthcare, family, social services, and communities they called home–and we will be prioritizing placement of families from Queens, particularly CD5, at this residence

What services will CORE offer onsite?
• Not-for-profit service provider CORE manages high-quality transitional housing, helping individuals in need stabilize their lives and get back on their feet. Our partnership with CORE at this location will continue that work by serving and supporting 132 families with children experiencing homelessness as they get back on their feet.
• CORE will provide an array of on-site services and off-site service linkages, providing families with the support that will help them stabilize their lives by returning to and maintaining independent living.
o On-site services will include individualized program planning, case management, individual and group counseling, good neighbor/tenant workshops, permanency planning and housing placement assistance, referrals to medical and mental health services, entitlement assistance, support groups, independent living and life skills workshops, parenting skills workshops, financial literacy and budgeting, recreational programming for children and residential services and support in finding and securing employment.
o Off-site service linkages will include, but will not be limited to, primary healthcare and mental health services, substance use treatment, education and employment services, conflict mediation, and legal services, childcare services, academic support/tutoring, recreation, summer youth employment, local DYCD services and activities and early childhood education.
o CORE will also work with CD5, local elected officials, and neighbors to facilitate employment opportunities for people living in the neighborhood.

What is the security onsite?
• Additionally, a secure and safe environment is critical to the success of any program facility—and the NYPD works directly with DHS to oversee security in all shelters, including this one.
o CORE will provide on-site security around-the-clock. Two security officers will be located at the entrance to control building access and to monitor security cameras, which will be located throughout the building and grounds. There will be a minimum of 7 security staff per shift and one supervisor overseeing security staff per shift.
o CORE will also provide a 24-hour open line for the community to provide feedback in a timely manner and to immediately address any concerns that may arise.
o As an added measure, 45 security cameras will be installed throughout the building and across the shelter grounds. These cameras allow security officers to continually monitor compliance with house regulations and good neighbor policies both in and around the facility, acting as a deterrent for inappropriate or illegal activities. Recordings will be made available to authorities with proper legal documentation in the event that arrests or prosecution are warranted.
There is a 9:00 PM curfew for families experiencing homelessness. Clients who may be employed with late work hours will receive passes to return to the facility after curfew based on their documented work schedule

Please reach out to my cell 646-946-9712 with any questions.

Best,
Amanda Nasner, DHS