ABSTRACT
Community opposition to residences for the homeless stems from a variety of fears and misconceptions. In many cases, a well-planned strategy can overcome community resistance. Community Boards in New York City are not required to accept a certain number of homeless facilities. When city-owned property is involved, community-based groups and agencies extrinsic to the community can find themselves competing for site control of the same building. The beginning steps of a community relations strategy should be the formation of a working committee which will be responsible for the planning and execution of a well-thought-out plan. A community relations campaign must still start as early as possible in the planning process. Community relations strategies should continue throughout the planning and development phase as well as the start-up and implementation phases of the shelter. The community resented the new agency that had been successful in gaining site control of a building that they wanted to use as a senior center.
