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A Major Win for Clinton Hill, Fort Greene
Renee Collymore, Democratic Liaison for the 57th Assembly District, is celebrating a significant victory for the Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Prospect Heights communities after Mayor Eric Adams announced the closure of New York City’s largest migrant shelter. Located in Clinton Hill, the shelter once housed over 4,000 asylum seekers—far exceeding the typical 400-bed capacity of most shelters.
Relentless Advocacy for Community Relief
For months, Collymore led a determined campaign to either reduce the shelter’s population or shut it down completely, citing the severe strain it placed on local businesses, homeowners, and essential services. Her efforts included organizing several well-attended town halls, drawing over 2,000 residents and amplifying the community’s concerns. Through her leadership, the issue gained citywide attention and momentum.
Holding Elected Officials Accountable
Collymore also made headlines for calling out local elected officials, particularly City Council Member Crystal Hudson, for failing to stand with the community during the crisis. While Hudson appeared to support the dense concentration of asylum seekers in the district, Collymore consistently pushed back, demanding relief for residents.
A Strategic Meeting with Mayor Adams
In a strategic move that helped sway decision-makers, Collymore organized a pivotal dinner meeting between Mayor Adams and ten Clinton Hill business owners and homeowners. This intimate gathering allowed the mayor to hear firsthand how the massive shelter negatively impacted local commerce and residential life. The meeting proved effective, as Mayor Adams took the community’s concerns seriously, ultimately factoring them into the decision to close the shelter..
Collymore’s Response to the Shelter Closures
In response to the closure announcement, Collymore expressed both gratitude and frustration:
“I commend Mayor Adams for listening to our community and taking decisive action to close this shelter. It was a daunting task, but he got it done, and our neighborhood will finally get the relief it desperately needs. I am thrilled for my community of neighbors who emailed, texted, called and dropped off anonymous letters asking me to continue to push to get the shelter closed.”
Collymore added, “However, it’s disheartening to see local elected officials like Council Member Crystal Hudson prioritize politics over the well-being of the very people they were elected to serve. She ignored our pleas for months but now wants to act as if she supported these closures all along. This kind of political posturing is exactly why our communities continue to suffer.”
Community-First Leadership Leads to Change
Collymore’s leadership and unwavering commitment have been widely recognized as key factors in achieving this outcome. Her proactive stance, media engagement, and direct communication with city leadership not only spotlighted the issue but also ensured that community voices were heard.
The closure of this shelter is part of Mayor Adams’ broader plan to shut down 13 emergency shelters across New York City by June 2025, as the city works to manage costs and reduce its asylum seeker population. For Clinton Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods, this decision marks a turning point and reflects the power of strong, community-first advocacy.
Renee Collymore’s efforts stand as a testament to what dedicated leadership can accomplish when the needs of residents are put before politics.
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