Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx Residents Also Angry About Homeless Invasion
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 6, 2011
Modified Jan 6, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 6, 2011
Modified Jan 6, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Residents in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx are angry after officials unilaterally converted a shelter for homeless families into a facility housing only men. Similar to concerns from UWS residents yesterday, Highbridge locals say that the new influx of homeless people are making their neighborhood much more dangerous. "They're out here at all hours of the night, creeping around and you don't know what they're going to do. They're always either smoking, drinking or looking in someone's window," said Rhodesia Jones. But what if there's a Ted Williams lurking amongst that crowd?
The Department of Homeless Services says the facility is perfectly safe, staffed with DHS officers and security guards, and down the block from the NYPD's Bronx Task Force headquarters. "There's been a decrease in the number of families in the system and we have a greater need for a single adult shelter," said Barbara Brancaccio, deputy DHS commissioner. But residents seem more angry that they weren't consulted about the change, arguing that the neighborhood already has eight other homeless shelters. "Yes, we want to look out for these people, but how can a community move forward when you're constantly pushing us back with these type of facilities. We're livid," said José Rodriguez, district manager for Community Board 4.
In brighter news, the New York City Council announced that they had come to an agreement with Mayor Bloomberg to restore $35 million in proposed budget cuts that would have halved the funding for street outreach and drop-in centers for runaway and homeless LGBTQ youths.
Tagged
bronx
dhs
highbridge
homeless
homeless invasion
shelters
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
It's in the private community of Sea Gate. Family members of the lighthouse's last civilian keeper are keeping its history alive.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 4:41 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 20, 2026 at 5:47 p.m. ET
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
The city's Public Design Commission taking a look at what's in store.
By
Willow Higgins
News
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
The city's Public Design Commission taking a look at what's in store.
By
Willow Higgins
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
By
Samantha Max
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
By
Arya Sundaram
Early Addition: There's a new hot duck, this time in Queens
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .