“Voters in our community are sending a loud and clear signal to City Hall that they don’t want these homeless shelters in their neighborhoods and that they fear their effects,” said Platta. The campaign went door to door over the last two months to speak to voters about the proposed 114-bed shelter for homeless men with mental illness in Ozone Park and other Queens
neighborhoods.

“Of course, we want solutions to support the homeless, especially those with mental health needs. But placing them near schools is a risky proposition,” said Platta. “Our elected officials have let the community down on this issue.”

Minus a challenge from the Republican Party, Platta expects the signatures to be certified and that the No Homeless Shelter Party line will appear on the November ballot. Platta is running against Thomas Sullivan in the Thursday, September 13 Republican primary, and expects to face off with the incumbent, Democrat Joseph Addabbo, Jr., in November.

On Monday, the Platta for Senate campaign held an official opening if its headquarters at 66-17 Fresh Pond Road in Queens.

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