Posted on July 14, 2019 by Tyler Blint-Welsh in The Wall Street Journal The Wall Street Journal, By Tyler Blint-Welsh The opening of a homeless shelter in New York City has at times led to local opposition, heated protests and even lawsuits. But some residents have taken a different tack, by welcoming shelters to their communities with open arms. In 2017, Ivan Braun, a 74-year-old resident of the Kingsbridge neighborhood in the Bronx, helped found Welcoming Neighbors, a group created as a direct response to local opposition over plans to open a shelter called Broadway Family Plaza. Mr. Braun said he was inspired by Give Me Shelter BK, a group based in Kensington, Brooklyn, that formed out of similar circumstances.
