Canarsie Protests 200-Bed Men's Shelter Plan
Dozens rallied in Canarsie as the city moves to open 12 new shelters across the five boroughs, including a proposed single men's site on East 108th Street.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Dozens of people rallied in Canarsie on Monday against a plan for a 200-bed single men's shelter on East 108th Street. The Department of Homeless Services announced plans to open 12 new shelters across the five boroughs.
Why it matters
The city needs additional shelter capacity to meet rising demand from single adults and its commitment to move families out of hotels. The expansion is being carried out under Emergency Executive Order 2, which phases out use of commercial hotels for families with children.
The Department of Homeless Services plans 12 new shelters, with 200 beds proposed for the East 108th Street site operated by Midway Living. Four are planned for Manhattan, three each for Brooklyn and Queens, and one each for the Bronx and Staten Island, all scheduled to open between 2027 and 2030.
The players
Department of Homeless Services
The New York City agency that announced plans to open 12 new shelters across the five boroughs.
Department of Social Services
The New York City agency that informed Council Member Mercedes Narcisse of the proposed Canarsie shelter.
Mercedes Narcisse
A New York City Council Member representing Canarsie who has pushed back on the proposed shelter plan.
Midway Living
The organization that will operate the proposed 200-bed single men's shelter.
The details
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse said the Department of Social Services told her last week that the shelter was coming, and she requested a meeting with the DSS commissioner for Thursday. The proposed site is one block from Science and Medicine Middle School 366.
Timeline
Last week: The Department of Social Services informed Council Member Mercedes Narcisse of the shelter plan.
Monday: Dozens rallied in Canarsie against the proposed shelter.
Thursday: Narcisse has requested a meeting with the DSS commissioner.
The 12 new shelters are scheduled to open between 2027 and 2030, with the Canarsie shelter expected in 2028.
Market Landscape
The shelter expansion is a direct implementation step under Emergency Executive Order 2, which requires phasing out commercial hotels used for families with children. Building new single-adult capacity is how the city absorbs demand that would otherwise shift into the hotel system the order is retiring.
Residents near the proposed East 108th Street site will see the city's shelter plans take shape over the coming years. The Canarsie shelter is expected to open in 2028, with the rest of the 12-shelter network following between 2027 and 2030.
The takeaway
The city's shelter expansion is tied to its commitment to move families out of hotels, and neighborhood opposition is arriving alongside the siting process. Residents who want a say in individual sites should track the Thursday meeting between Council Member Narcisse and the DSS commissioner.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Openings & Closings in New York City business news.
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