An embattled north Bronx neighborhood is being eyed as the site for a city-sponsored homeless shelter.
Project Renewal submitted plans to the city Department of Homeless Services and notified Community Board 12 last week of its plan to open the shelter at 4380 Bronx Blvd.
The 100-bed transitional shelter is to be located on a commercial strip mostly filled with automotive shops.
It is the second social services facility proposed for the Wakefield neighborhood.
Praxis Housing Initiatives last month said it intends to open a multistory building at 4339 White Plains Road with about 60 apartments for homeless people who have medical issues like HIV or AIDS or addiction problems.
Project Renewal’s proposal must now be reviewed by the DHS, a process that could take anywhere from weeks to months.
The DHS has recently opened several shelters and so-called “cluster sites” in the Bronx as it struggles to house large numbers of people rendered homeless by the sagging economy.
“We’re opening facilities all around the city to meet the record demand,” said DHS Commissioner Robert Hess, citing an “unparalleled demand” for homeless services across the nation.
“We’ll continue to do that to meet our legal obligations to house everyone who comes into our system every day.”
Project Renewal now operates four shelters in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, Praxis defended its proposal for the White Plains Road development.
“This is not a shelter. It’s permanent supportive housing,” said spokeswoman Jolie Milstein.
“This could turn around the neighborhood and be the beginning of the revitalization of upper White Plains Road.” Read more..
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