City Plans 165-Bed Shelter in Maspeth
Council Member Phil Wong says he plans to press the city for answers on the proposed Queens homeless shelter.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The city is planning a 165-bed shelter for single adult men at 55-05 Flushing Ave in industrial Maspeth, Queens. Council Member Phil Wong announced opposition concerns in a press release on Monday.
Why it matters
Wong cites existing quality-of-life issues for businesses and residents in the area as reasons for concern about the site. The plan is part of three new Queens shelters the city is pursuing.
The proposed Maspeth shelter would hold 165 beds, while a planned Woodside single adult shelter would hold 200 beds and a planned Astoria family shelter would hold 250 units. Formal city notification to Wong's office has not yet been received.
The players
Phil Wong
Phil Wong is a New York City Council Member whose district borders the proposed Maspeth shelter site and who has voiced opposition to the plan.
Lantern Community Services
Lantern Community Services is a nonprofit provider that would operate the proposed 165-bed Maspeth shelter for single adult men.
The details
Wong's office learned of the plan through communication from the city Department of Social Services. Lantern Community Services would operate the Maspeth shelter, and the site sits near the border of Wong's district.
Timeline
Monday (November 2, 2026): Wong announced the proposed 165-bed Maspeth shelter in a press release.
Openings & Closings
The proposed Maspeth shelter is one of several new facilities the city is siting across Queens under its shelter expansion effort, including a 200-bed Woodside site and a 250-unit Astoria family shelter. Such siting decisions have repeatedly drawn council-level scrutiny over neighborhood impacts.
Residents and businesses near 55-05 Flushing Ave may see changes to the surrounding industrial area if the shelter proceeds. Wong's office expects formal notification from the city and will request meetings with the Department of Social Services and Lantern to review the site plans.
The takeaway
Residents interested in the proposal can follow Council Member Phil Wong's office for updates as it seeks meetings with city officials and the proposed provider.
Further reading
Explore more Openings & Closings coverage across New York City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by QNS.
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