By Shmuly Rosenstein – acting Chairman CHJCC

125 East 55th Street: What We Know and What It Means for Crown Heights

There has been considerable discussion about reports of a proposed 120 bed homeless shelter at 125 East 55th Street. CHJCC has been looking into it, speaking with City officials and trying to better understand both this proposal and how the process works.

Here is what we know and, more importantly, what we learned.

Where Things Stand

Information about a proposed 120 bed shelter at 125 East 55th Street, with a possible summer 2028 opening, was discussed at a Brooklyn Community Board 17 Land Use/Re-Zoning Committee meeting in November 2025. Similar information surfaced publicly again in July 2026.

However, when we spoke directly with City officials from the Mayor’s office on August 17, they told us they could find no City record or file for a proposed shelter at that address.

That does not mean a property owner, developer or shelter provider is not working on a proposal. It means that, as of that conversation, we could not confirm an approved City shelter at 125 East 55th Street.

CHJCC will continue following it.

How the Process Works

One important thing we learned is that the City does not start by choosing a location for a shelter.

A property owner or developer may identify a property. A nonprofit shelter provider may then bring the proposal to the City for review.

In simple terms:

Property Owner/Developer → Shelter Provider → City Review → Approval → Community Notification

The City considers the need for shelter beds, the number and distribution of existing facilities, the building, operator, services, security, operations and cost.

If the proposal meets the City’s requirements and the use is legally permitted, community approval may not be required.

This applies well beyond shelters. Real estate development, infrastructure, street redesigns and many other projects are often governed by existing zoning, laws and agency authority. If a zoning change or other discretionary approval is required, there may be a larger public process. If something is already permitted, community opinion may have much less effect on whether it proceeds.

That is important to understand. Sometimes we can influence the decision itself. Sometimes we cannot.

Why Local Participation Matters

There are many local meetings taking place every month. Community Boards, committee meetings, precinct councils, agency presentations and other forums regularly discuss issues that eventually affect Crown Heights.

No one person or organization can attend all of them.

The more Crown Heights residents who participate, the more we know, the earlier we know it, and the better positioned we are to respond.

That does not mean we can stop or change every project. Often we cannot. But knowing earlier gives us time to ask questions, raise concerns and, where necessary, mitigate the impact by advocating for additional security, lighting, sanitation, traffic improvements or other City resources.

The equation is fairly simple: more people in the room means more information coming back to the community and more opportunity to act before everything is already decided.

CHJCC will continue doing its part, but broader community participation makes all of us better informed and better prepared.

There Is Another Side to the Shelter Conversation

Crown Heights already has homeless individuals, Jewish and non-Jewish. We see people sleeping on benches and in public spaces, and our shuls and community institutions periodically encounter people looking for somewhere safe to stay.

Perhaps there is also room to consider an appropriate local Kosher shelter or transitional facility serving local needs.

There is an economic side as well. The City contracts with nonprofit shelter operators, properties can be part of long term arrangements, and facilities create jobs and contracting opportunities.

If there is a viable and profitable opportunity for a shelter in Crown Heights and local property owners do not explore it, someone else likely will.

That is not an argument for or against a shelter. It is simply part of the reality and worth knowing.

The Bottom Line

Regarding 125 East 55th Street, there are still unanswered questions. As of our August 17 conversation with City officials, we have not been able to confirm an approved City shelter at that address. CHJCC will continue seeking answers.

The larger lesson is practical.

The earlier Crown Heights knows what is happening, the more we can do. Sometimes that means advocating to change or modify a proposal. Sometimes the project may be legally entitled to proceed, and our focus needs to be on mitigating its impact and securing the services and resources the neighborhood needs.

That requires CHJCC to stay engaged with government, but it also requires more residents to attend the many local meetings where these issues first surface.

More people attending means more information. More information means earlier involvement. And earlier involvement gives us more options.

That is how we can make a practical difference.