A 2,200-bed migrant shelter for men heading to the South Bronx

New York City’s plan to close 13 migrant centers by June is being overshadowed by the proposed opening of a massive 2,200-bed migrant shelter for men in the South Bronx and many residents aren’t happy—and rightfully so.

For far too long, the South Bronx has been disproportionately overburdened with such facilities for the homeless for the entire city.

The area the site is located on Bruckner Boulevard is being touted by the city as a rather industrial and isolated area , the fact is that there are no less than six schools within walking distance—just blocks away—from the proposed site that will house up to 2,200 migrant men.

Councilmember Diana Ayala, who represents the district where the proposed shelter site is located mentioned that she was caught by surprise, despite having recommended the site several years ago when councilmembers were asked to identify such sites, by the announcement of the coming shelter to her district as she only learned of it by way of a press release from the city.

According to the city, many of the migrants will be coming from the Randall’s Island tent shelter that is scheduled to close by next month but congregating such a large, vulnerable population under one roof isn’t the answer let alone a burden The Bronx should shoulder.

In a quote to the BronxTimes, Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr, who previously represented the area where the shelter is coming, said, “Once again, the South Bronx is carrying the weight for homelessness in the city of New York. It’s a never-ending saga.”

While migrants deserve the dignity of shelter and needed services, it should never come at the cost of our communities that are already overburdened with issues of our own that residents are desperately working to improve.

A couple of hundred migrants at a location are manageable but the city shouldn’t expect one neighborhood to host thousands.