A proposed homeless shelter located right next to a school in Manhattan has sparked outrage from concerned residents, and parents of students.
“I’m horrified. I really am. I’m afraid for our kids,” said resident Johanna Jefferson.
“Location that doesn’t make a lot of sense,” said parent Jason Friedman. “If you’re touching a school this type of place is not the right site.”
This is a taste of the furious opposition to a proposed homeless shelter in Lower Manhattan.
Parents and residents are seething mad. They say it’s too close to their children’s school.
“They can house sex offenders here as long as they’re not on parole or probation,” said parent Peggie Bilse.
The proposed Safe Haven shelter at 320 Peck St. would be a low barrier facility, which specializes in getting the most resistant unsheltered homeless off the street.
While that’s often more appealing, parents say that’s the issue. They say it imposes fewer requirements and mandates.
“There’s no curfew. They’re free to come and go,” said parent Anthony Hannigan. “They’re not allowed to use drugs on site so where are they going to go to use it?”