The opening of a new migrant center in the South Bronx has caused uproar. Bronx residents fear the facility’s location in an already burdened neighborhood will only exacerbate the area’s problems. The center, slated to open next month, will be located in an old manufacturing building at 322 Bruckner Boulevard. The 2,200-bed facility will house male migrants for a 30-day period, after which they will be required to exit the shelter and reapply for placement in accordance with city policy.
This new shelter follows Mayor Eric Adam’s December Announcement that the City of New York will close up to 25 existing migrant shelters in surrounding boroughs, including the Floyd Bennett Field and Randall’s Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers. The closures are in reaction to the steadily declining number of migrants seeking aid, which has decreased from 69,000 in January 2024 to just under 51,000 as of January 2025.
The discourse surrounding the opening of the migrant center was brought to light during the public forum organized by Community Board 1 at Lincoln Hospital on Jan. 27. Members of the local Bronx community expressed their numerous concerns about the center, including concerns about the safety and screening processes of those coming into the shelter. According to the city, 90% of migrants eligible for this shelter have applied for asylum and have a path to work authorization; however, these statistics did little to quell community concerns.
Residents of the area, including Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., called to attention the experiences of other shelters located within the South Bronx, explicitly citing the issues with the Hunts Point shelter, The Living Room, which he stated: “should serve as a warning against opening new shelters because of the resources it sucks out.” Salamanca also mentions the influx of both 911 calls and 311 calls, which overstretched police resources from Longwood Avenue’s 41st Precinct.
Furthermore, other community members, including Gabe De Jesus, the president of the 40th Precinct Community Council, demanded in his written statement that this center “calls for a detailed public safety plan, increased police presence, and strict shelter rules to mitigate against potential risks.” De Jesus then added the city “must engage with local residents, businesses, and organizations to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed.” However, despite these concerns, the city is set on the site decision, calling it a “done deal” during the community meeting and effectively limiting further community discussion on the issue.
A significant element of this discourse concerns the city’s lack of communication regarding the proposal for this site. Council Member Diana Ayala revealed that she recommended the site about two years ago when members were asked to identify possible buildings in their district to use as emergency shelters. But she was not informed about the new shelter until the press notified her of it. Additionally, she said that the Adams administration did not consult her on the number of beds or the use of the site at this time. However, on a positive note, she commented that she was “not overly concerned” but that she planned on visiting the building to assess security measures and the number of beds. Commenting, “When you put too many people in one space, it can become problematic.”
Other city officials also criticized the city for their approval of such a project without proper community discussion and engagement. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson commented, “The city hall administration owes us more than this meeting tonight, as your borough president, I am firm in my opposition because this plan is misguided.” She furthered her criticisms adding, “It is unacceptable that we would even consider moving forward in such a fashion.” Ultimately, however, it is within the mayoral administration’s power to advance such a project. Ayala commented, “The mayor doesn’t need our permission to put a shelter anywhere,” alluding to the many emergency shelters that were established back in 2022. But this does not excuse the fact that clearer communication from the city should have been necessary for greenlighting this project.
Board 1 Chair Clarisa Alayeto encapsulated community mindsets, saying, “the fact that the city is here saying this is gonna happen is disrespectful to the community.” She furthered ongoing arguments surrounding the fact that the South Bronx has continually carried the burden of the city on its back. The borough should be allowed to focus on existing problems, including the growing homeless populations, overcrowding in schools and the opioid crisis centered around East 149th Street and Third Ave. “This is a joke,” commented Martin Rogers, a Melrose resident, during the community board meeting.
Despite considerable community backlash, the city is committed to proceeding with the $250,000 to $340,000 retrofitting project for the building and has called for more continued community partnerships going forward. The city’s deputy mayor of the administration, Camille Joseph Varlack, said, “We want to make sure that we work in partnership with you as we move forward.” While this project will hopefully allow those it serves to find work and long-term residency in the city, it should also serve as a reminder of the importance of community engagement when integrating new projects into pre-established communities to ensure sustainable solutions benefit all community residents.
Abigail Price, FCRH ’28, is an urban studies major from Colorado.
