City Seeking Mediator For DHS And Brooklyn Communities

While the battle continues between Crown Heights residents and the City over the opening of a new homeless shelter in the area, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the Department of Homeless Services have created a new position to help keep the peace between communities and the operators and clients of homeless shelter facilities.

Both Mayor de Blasio’s office and Brooklyn Borough Hall are working together to find the best candidate for the newly created position of Director of Community Partnerships who will serve as a liaison between community leaders and managers of homeless shelters. He/she will promote outreach and build relationships between community residents and the operators and clients of DHS.

Mayor de Blasio’s plan to open 90 homeless shelters throughout the city within the next five years announced the opening of five new shelter locations so far this year—three of these are located in or near Crown Heights, which already has 19 shelters. The Director of Community Partnerships will initially focus on Central Brooklyn, expanding to other areas of the borough as the Mayor’s plan evolves.

“This role is an example of how we’re finding new ways to ensure transitional housing facilities are integrated into communities so that our homeless neighbors feel welcomed and supported by the community as they stabilize their lives,” says Isaac McGinn, a spokesperson for DHS.

“Our partnership with Borough President Adams, which is focused on fostering community adoption of shelters to improve quality of life for our neighbors who’ve fallen on hard times, will strengthen connections between area stakeholders, residents, and community-based organizations, including Community Boards, Block Associations, houses of worship and nonprofits, bringing new opportunities to homeless New Yorkers working to get back on their feet,” he adds.

Candidates should have at least two years of community or health education experience, as well as excellent communication and outreach skills. Priority will be given to candidates with experience working in Central Brooklyn.

Those interested in the position can apply online.