The city’s efforts to distribute homeless shelters more equitably are facing significant resistance from residents in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park and Greenwood Heights neighborhoods. Fourteen residents have filed lawsuits against the city, arguing that the approval of a new 200-bed shelter, HELP Quarterstone, was not based on a proper Fair Share analysis or environmental review.

The proposed shelter, located at 225 25th St. near Fourth Avenue, is set to open in October, according to HELP USA developers. This addition would join five other shelter facilities already operating within half a mile, including shelters for families with children and single adults.

Residents Express Concerns Over Shelter Oversaturation

Hakan Topal an organizer with the Greenwood Heights Association, has been at the forefront of the legal effort. Topal and the other plaintiffs used artificial intelligence to draft their initial legal complaints, as they are representing themselves pro se. “We are being accused as NIMBYs — it’s totally wrong, in my opinion,” Topal stated. “We deeply care about these populations, but we cannot have the burden all the time. You cannot put six, seven, eight shelters within a five, six-block radius.”

The proposed shelter’s location near a daycare and the 25th Street R subway station has raised public safety concerns among local business owners. With the addition of HELP Quarterstone, Sunset Park would host at least 11 shelters, according to the lawsuit.

The City’s Push for Equitable Shelter Distribution

The city’s Department of Homeless Services is working to ensure that every community district hosts some shelter facilities, aiming to alleviate the burden on oversaturated areas. Nicholas Jacobelli deputy press secretary at the Department of Social Services, emphasized the administration’s commitment to identifying shelter locations in every community district. “We are proud to report that we have identified a shelter location in every community district,” Jacobelli said.

Despite this effort, the homeless crisis continues to escalate. The number of extremely low-income households has grown significantly, and eviction filings have surged. Last year, 194,531 people cycled through the shelter system, the highest rate in history, according to the Coalition for the Homeless’s 2026 State of the Homeless report. David Giffen executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, highlighted the city’s struggle to comply with the right to shelter mandate.

The Legal Battle and the Fair Share Mandate

The lawsuits filed by the residents claim that the city violates its Fair Share mandate, which was adopted in 1989 to ensure equitable distribution of amenities and services. The plaintiffs argue that the Fair Share analysis used in the shelter’s approval process relies on outdated data. The lawsuit also includes letters of support from Councilmember Alexa Aviles and U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman.

A 2026 citywide audit found that homeless shelters are heavily concentrated, with some communities taking on significantly more beds than others. Stewart Wurtzel an attorney experienced in Fair Share cases, noted that shelter locations are often dictated by developers based on property value and potential profit.

The residents’ chances of success in their lawsuit are considered low, as historical precedent shows that such legal challenges rarely stop shelters from opening. However, the residents hope their lawsuit will force the city to reconsider its plans and adhere to its own rules.

Theresa Watkinson chief operating officer at Baked in Brooklyn, expressed concerns about the safety of her employees and business due to recent incidents. “The question is if we want to move out of state now,” Watkinson said. “We’re Baked in Brooklyn. It’s sort of like Brooklyn is forcing us out. The city is forcing us out.”

Others, like resident John Santore believe that compliance with Fair Share is a legitimate request but argue that shelters should not be framed as inherently negative. “If you’re in a shelter, you’re not necessarily a danger,” Santore said. “People who are in shelters have jobs, for example.”