This information was posted over on the Bed-Stuy Blog Forum. I’d heard something about an “illegal” shelter opening on Malcolm X, but I didn’t know the details. What kind of fly-by-night outfit is this? Do any of you live near this facility? Here’s the forum post:
Please note that this letter has been updated since the original post.
Dear Residents. This is posted to keep everyone informed:
___________________________
In the middle of a cold winter night, a moving van loaded with bed frames and mattresses crept into our beloved Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, arriving at 332 Malcolm X Blvd. A concerned neighbor observed movers unload and prepare the three-story frame house for an influx of some 30 new residents. The neighbor later learned that the building, which was once home to a neighborhood pastor, his wife and family, was handed over to the Gelzer Foundation, an alleged private organization that provides transitional housing for substance abusers – most of which have criminal records.
The mystery of the Gelzer Foundation, true to its illusory entry into our neighborhood, is a web of deception. It’s listed as an LLC and has no known executive director, board or president. The building itself has several outstanding violations and currently has a pending stop work order. Yet, regardless of these major infractions and glaring legalities, the small two-family wood-structure home, located within walking distance of several elementary schools, daycare centers and other similar facilities, is home to an expansive male population with alarming mental and co-dependency issues.
Recently, members of the community (two block associations, the merchants association on Malcolm X Blvd., Henry Butler from Community Board 3 and a representative from Al Vann’s office) gathered together and met with two representatives from the Gelzer Foundation to find out further information. Unfortunately, the meeting only raised more questions and suspicions about how this organization, which apparently receives some funding from the city and holds no certificate with the state, was able to enter a neighborhood under the radar.
Although our community supports second chances and fully supports agencies and programs that are geared towards rehabilitation, we demand to have a voice and vote before any agency is granted access into our community. Furthermore, we are requesting that this organization find another neighborhood to set up shop immediately, as this particular section of Bedford-Stuyvesant has more than its lion-share of supportive housing agencies, shelters and residents battling addictions. The Gelzer Foundation’s home, and other facilities like it, threatens the security and the safety of our fragile community. Placing children who attend schools near level three sex offenders and people suffering from addiction, or who frolic in play areas littered with drug paraphernalia is unacceptable. Yet, elected officials, chosen to represent our best interests, continue to sign off on these deals at the expense of its constituents. This practice must end now.
Collectively we are asking that a full investigation into the legitimacy of the Gelzer Foundation to be conducted. This includes documentation of its owner, officers and financial beneficiaries. We are also requesting that HPD and New York State’s Buildings Department conduct a full investigation on the building’s outstanding violation. These violations create a safety hazard for both the residents, neighboring structures and community at large. We are asking that they be removed immediately from the location, as they have not enforced their curfew; there are signs that their residents are violating their no-alcohol rules; and have they have not demonstrated that they have the ability to keep tabs on their residents.
Sincerely,
The Bainbridge Street/Malcolm X Block Association
Bainbridge Street Block Association
Bainbridge Street Homeowners & Tenants Association
The Malcolm X Merchants Association
Bainbridge Street/ Stuyvesant Block Association
400 MacDonough St. Block Association
300 Decatur St. Block Association
The Rev. J. Sumbry and King Emmanuel Baptist Church
Colette Gill Pierre the COO of Bridge Street Development Corp
I’m confused. If nothing is known about the foundation or who runs it, how is it known that most of the residents have criminal records?
According to propery sharks, the owners are Mchb USA, LLC. Looking on the NYS Dept of State Database, that entity’s address is
55 FRANKLIN AVENUE SUITE B-1
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 11205
Perhaps a visit to this location may provide more information.
My apologies-I meant Properyshark.com
I read a post on the Stuyvesant Heights Parents Group where someone said that they saw a van arrive and and saw dozens of bed frames and mattresses being moved into the location. A few days later that same van started dropping off middle-aged men with trash bags full of their belongings. That person approached a man in charge and he said that this was a program run by the Gelzer Foundation and that this was a revolving door residence where men would stay for awhile and then move on. I guess this would make it more like a halfway house?
Pingback: Brownstoner
Another case of NIMBY.
If Co-dependency was a crime, every married male (and a few unmarried ones) would be in jail.
Did you mean every married female? In any case, I’m all about NIMBY. I want every shelter, jailhouse, and project to be IYBY.
There was a rumor that the Hasid owner wanted to rent the place out to a Check Cashing business. I guess that wasn’t quite socially toxic or profitable enough.
ahhhhhhh, carrying on the tradition of sucking the life (and $$$) out of neighborhoods.
This sounds totally messed up to me! How do we get someone to investigate this, and who?
Let’s all email Councilman Al Vann. I think this is his district. http://alvann2009.com/avcontact.asp
Here is Al Vann’s office info:
District Office Address
613-619 Throop Ave.
Brooklyn, New York 11216
District Office Phone
718-919-0740 or 718-919-0741 or 718-919-7042
District Office Fax
718-919-0744
A similarly shady thing happened on my mother’s block. The residents should have a right to know if a halfway house, or something similar is being set up,. especially if a block has a large number of kids or is near a school.
you say this is an “undocumented facility” and “illegal facility”, yet you suggest our elected afficials sign off on these projects. Wouldn’t that make it LEGAL. I’m just saying!! The Community Board had a public hearing this month about these facilities in the neighborhood and no one was there to testify about an illegal shelter on Malcolm X Blvd. The foundation is questionable, the building CO may be violated. Stop throwing bricks at the wrong targets.
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THIS INVESTIGATION:
-The Malcolm X Merchants Association
-Bainbridge Street/ Stuyvesant Block Association
-400 Macdonough St. Block Association
-300 Decatur St. Block Association
-The Rev. J. Sumbry and King Emmanuel Baptist Church
-Bridge Street Development Corp
How can you both support “second chances and…programs that are geared towards rehabilitation” while at the same time say that these institutions “or any like them” threaten the fragile nature of our community?
So people trying to get their lives in order are the ones responsible for the increase in felony assaults in the 81st police precinct? And how do you know these people’s criminal records? Did you do a background check? Thank you teanickeldime for at least providing valid information.
As a Bed Stuy resident who values truthful information and not just scaremongering tactics, would you please publish specifics about what caused you to have concern during your meeting and where you found out people’s criminal histories, because right now it appears that you only have business concerns and would like to eliminate any kinds of social programs in the neighborhood.
Pingback: Bed-Stuy Blog » Blog Archive » Vann Sends Out Statement Regarding Illegal Shelter
I’m replying to the disgusted bed stuy resident comment. As a mother and wife and homeowner, I feel that there are enough social programs in the neighborhood and not enough locations to purchase fresh foods and goods. If you look closely at who signed off on the letter, a majority of the people are homeowners and tenants.
This is also to the person know as “Disgusted” above.
It’s moronic to not want to hold these so called “agencies” accountable out of fear of being called insensitive. Are we all not expected to have paperwork for our homes, cars, etc. Why shouldn’t they? I have walked by the property in the last few days and seen empty beer cans coming out of the trash. Program my ass. Don’t be blind to the fact that Bed-Stuy gets more of these ‘programs’ than other neighborhoods. Using the “second chance” line is a sorry excuse. Give us your address and we’ll let them stay with you.
How can these men be expected to get a second chance in a program that is unsupervised? Let’s get serious.
For all those that want to help fight this undercover, shady shelter, you can write the following politicians…
Marty Markowitz – Brooklyn Borough President
askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Deputy Brooklyn Borough President
Yvonne J. Graham
ygraham@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Chief of Staff- Brooklyn Borough
Carlo A. Scissura
cscissura@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Mayor Bloomberg
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
Al Vann
avann@council.nyc.gov
City Councialwoman, Darlene Mealy
darlene.mealy@council.nyc.gov
Community Board #3 District Manager, Ms. Charlene Phillips:
cphillips@cb.nyc.gov
NY State Senator, Velmanette Montgomery
mongome@senate.state.ny.us
To those of you who have a problem with these homeless men moving onto Malcolm X…I agree with bk-the-planet….have them move next door to you with young kids in the house.
What I was contending was the contradictions in the open letter by the associations. All of my quotes are from the letter. If you’re against these programs, then just say that. Don’t throw out false accusations about criminal records and try to scare people. I support what cdsp and teanickeldime have written. I recognize the problems in the neighborhood, but like cdsp said, “stop throwing bricks at the wrong target” and I would add, please do not stoop to the level of calling people “level three sex offenders” unless you have the proof to back it up. Otherwise, you’re just as shady as the Glazer Foundation and making matters worst. Our neighbors and community deserve real facts if we’re going to fight something like this.
Hey “Disgusted”–
Why not get ‘Un-Disgusted’ and be proactive? Look into the issue yourself and you will see the facts for yourself. Come to the meetings. It’s great to say stick to the facts and want to check people when you’re not doing any of the leg work yourself. There are things people in this community know that can’t be exposed just yet about this issue. In the end it will all come out and you’ll still be on here trying to gain fame.
It seems we in Bed-Stuy had better wake-up……I have been preaching to my block association members, the fabric of this community is changing before our eyes. I think the demolition happening on MacDonough St. and the onset of all the rehabilition facilities are indicators. We have grown sleepy as a community, not realizing how things (small) fit together for greater change. Finally, it great to see the block associations along with the merchants coming together to make those who think they can just slip these changes pass us accountable. So, conversation around these issue are great, but please get to the meetings a join the momentum.
Someone sent this message to me from Henry Butler, chair of CB3:
The community must understand that every social service program that opens up is not city run or funded. If it was run by DHS they would have to notify the community board. Programs that are run by private organizations and deal with private landlords do not have to come before the community board or seek support from the council member. Currently there is no law preventing an homeowner from leasing or renting out their home to a social service program. Any one can do it. What we can do is make sure that the house meets all of the codes for running a social service program. First and foremost the C of O has to state that a program is being run there. The District Manager of the board and myself will meet Thursday with all of the city agencies and this issue will be the only topic. We are bringing to them a list of 10 to 15 other programs in the community. We will meet with DOB, HPD, FDNY, NYPD, DOT, HRA, DOH, DHS and the Human rights commission is getting involved. So I hope this help people understand that the community board is doing their part. We need for the community members to stay active and report any and all programs to the community board. Please forward this to your block association and all concern people of Bedford-Stuyvesant. CB#3 (718) 622-6601, 6602, 6603
Thank You
Henry L. Butler
Chairperson
Community Board 3
Check this article in the Daily News today….
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/28/2010-01-28_bedstuy_nimby_cry_exabusers_residence_angers_residents.html
FYI— The shelter is now G-O-N-E. The people have spoken. Not just on this forum but with their actions and diligence! Let that be a lesson to everyone on here! Don’t let things go. Don’t think you can’t make changes just because for years you have been dumped on! We as a diverse group of people saw something that was wrong and we made it right. Now we can feel that much safer— This is only the beginning— watch!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. That was fast. Does anyone know where the men went? Can the GF relocate in the neighborhood and is CB3 (or any other groups) keeping tabs?
That was my concern, CCC. I’m hoping that the GF didn’t just move a few blocks over (closer to my home).
Doubt it. They are on the run. Afraid to be exposed further. Daily News did a story and just today NEWS12 was out here. Watch it at 11pm tonight.
Still a few men hanging around there today– Not fully cleared out apparently.
Check out this post by Queens Crap that mentions the shady housing deals that the city makes with slumlords. There’s a mention of a place on Ralph Avenue here in Bed-Stuy:
http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2010/02/city-rewarding-slumlords-with-homeless.html
Great posting The Changeling.
There is alot to uncover here. My guess is that this is the reason 332 decided to get out and cut their losses. However still two men in there…. The fight is not over.
There are firemen inside the building now checking it out. We wonder what the results will be.
Pingback: Bed-Stuy Blog » Blog Archive » February CB3 Meeting Rundown
I am a NYC Police Officer and a resdent of this great Bed-Stuy Community, as a police officer I respone to numerous 10-52 (disputes calls) at a lot of half-way houses that are popping-up in our communities. I found that while some of these half-way houses/foundations collect huge amount of public funding, they provide little more than a bed for it’s residents. I think it’s time that Mr. Al Vann and other elected officals take a closer look at these foundations. I have three questions.
1. How does a two family house accommodate 30 residents + staff.
2. How much public funding does Gelzer foundation receive per-resident.
3. what services does Geizer Foundation offers its residents thats going to allow them to function independently in Bed-Stuy or any other community.
M Smith–
These are all great questions. And ones we would like to have answered. Mr. Vann attended the Community Board 3 meeting earlier in the month. He spoke about the passing of a community resident and not long after left. It’s a joke. He’ll tell you that members of his office stayed in attendance. Sure they did– Kissing hello and chatting in the hallway instead of listening to the community speak. There are other people in this community suffering because these illegal unsupervised shelters are right next door. IT’s NOT ABOUT INNOCENT DOWN ON YOUR LUCK HOMELESS PEOPLE. It’s about truly helping them in programs– not the pocketing $$$$$$ at their expense. WAKE UP BED-STUY!!!!!!!!