By: Hal C Clarke

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a rally at the site of a controversial homeless shelter in Brooklyn, accusing him of being out of touch with outer-borough communities, as the NY Post reported.

The criticism came during an appearance in Bensonhurst, where the city is planning a 150-bed men’s homeless shelter that has already sparked backlash from local residents. As the NY Post reported, Blakeman labeled Mamdani a “Manhattan elitist,” arguing that the mayor is ignoring the concerns of neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens while pushing forward with the project.

Blakeman said communities like Bensonhurst should have more say in decisions that directly impact their neighborhoods. According to the NY Post, he emphasized that residents want transparency and local input, particularly when it comes to projects involving homeless shelters.

The planned facility has been a flashpoint for protests in recent weeks. As the NY Post reported, hundreds of residents have already demonstrated against the shelter, raising concerns about safety, quality of life, and the lack of consultation from City Hall.

Despite the opposition, the Mamdani administration has continued to back the project, pointing to the city’s ongoing homelessness crisis and the need for additional shelter capacity. The facility is expected to open by the end of 2027, according to the report.

Blakeman used the rally to outline what he described as a more comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness. As the NY Post reported, he argued that solutions should include expanded addiction treatment, job training programs, and better access to medical care—rather than simply building new shelters in residential neighborhoods.

He was joined by State Assemblyman Lester Chang, who also criticized the city’s approach. According to the NY Post, Chang suggested that alternative locations should be considered and floated the idea of redirecting funds earmarked for jail construction toward affordable housing initiatives.

Chang also raised the possibility of using existing sites, including Rikers Island, as part of a broader strategy to deal with the homeless population, as the NY Post reported.

The rally underscored growing political and community resistance to the shelter plan, particularly in southern Brooklyn. Residents have argued that the city is moving too quickly without properly engaging the community or addressing concerns about how the facility will be managed.

As the NY Post reported, tensions have been building for months, with protests drawing large crowds and heavy police presence at times. The controversy reflects a broader debate over how New York City should handle its homelessness crisis—and where shelters should be located.

While critics like Blakeman and Chang are pushing for alternative solutions, City Hall has maintained that expanding shelter capacity remains a necessary part of the strategy.