Council Member Opposes New Maspeth Shelter

City Council Member Phil Wong announced on Monday that the Department of Social Services is planning to construct a new homeless shelter in Maspeth. The facility would be located at 55-05 Flushing Avenue, a site situated near the border of the council member's district.

The proposed building is designated to house 165 single adult men. Lantern Community Services will operate the site, according to communications from Wong's office. Wong stated he has serious concerns regarding the potential impact of the facility on the neighborhood. He noted that businesses and residents in the area already face quality-of-life issues and that adding a large shelter without a full impact analysis raises legitimate questions.

The Maspeth project is one of three new facilities planned for Queens. A 200-bed single adult shelter is slated for 24-30 Brooklyn Queens Expressway West in Woodside, which Samaritan Daytop Village will run. Additionally, a 250-unit family shelter is planned for 9-16 27 Avenue in Astoria, with Westhab as the operator.

Wong's office expects to receive formal notification from the city regarding the Maspeth site. The council member intends to request meetings with the Department of Social Services and Lantern Community Services to review the plans. He also plans to ask for the rationale behind the location selection.

On social media, Wong said he would press the city for answers and explore every available option to challenge the proposal. The Chronicle has reached out to the Department of Social Services and Lantern Community Services for comment, and both entities are currently awaiting a response.