“The proposed closure of HERC facilities in our city and the potential opening of a new, larger migrant facility for single adult men in the South Bronx is deeply concerning and, frankly, unacceptable. While the population of single men housed in HERC facilities has significantly decreased, the Administration’s plan to open a facility with a capacity of 2,200 raises serious questions.
The Bronx continues to shoulder an inequitable share of the city’s challenges, with little regard for the needs of our residents, families, businesses, and organizations. Community engagement has been insufficient, and we are repeatedly blindsided by these proposals through the media rather than through meaningful dialogue with the communities they affect.
Instead of addressing the homelessness crisis with permanent housing solutions, we are once again asked to bear the weight of a proposal that only exacerbates existing challenges in the South Bronx. This facility’s capacity should be directed toward long-term housing, not temporary measures that deepen our borough’s struggles.
We must also consider the potential impacts on public safety, quality of life, and the risk of deportation officials targeting the area. The Bronx has always been a welcoming community, but we cannot continue to accept policies that undermine our residents’ well-being without a comprehensive plan, genuine community engagement, and necessary resources for our South Bronx families. Without these, I stand firmly opposed to this proposal.”