CHAIR

Majority Committee on
House Operations

THE ASSEMBLY
STATE OF NEW YORK

COMMITTEES
Aging
Banks
Education
Labor
Racing & Wagering
Veterans Affairs

ALBANY
MICHAEL MILLER
Assemblyman 38th District

MEMBER
Puerto Rican/Hispanic
Task Force
New York Conference of
Italian-American State Legislators
New York State Chapter of
Jewish Legislators

May 7, 2015
Honorable Scott M. Stringer
Office of the Comptroller
1 Centre Street
New York, NY 10007
Dear Comptroller Stringer:
I am writing to you once again in regards to the proposed homeless shelter at 78-16
Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385, which was submitted to the Department of Homeless
Services (DHS) by Samaritan Village. Recently, it was found that the Pan Am Hotel, located at
79-00 Queens Boulevard was issued numerous violations for lead paint hazards and the Daily
News published an article on April 28, 2015 revealing other hazards such as piles of garbage and
a severe rat infestation. Complaint by the residents included lack of heat and hot water as well as
bed bugs. Given these incidents, it would be irresponsible to approve another contract between
the Department of Homeless Services and Samaritan Village for the proposed homeless shelter at
78-16 Cooper Avenue in Glendale, Queens. This massive piece of property, at a size of
approximately 105,000 square-feet, could alternatively be used to address growing problems in
our neighborhoods such as the lack of senior housing and veterans facilities.
As I stated in a previous letter, the New York State Comptroller found that Samaritan
Village mishandled approximately $1 million dollars over the course of a one year period. I
have already insisted that for this reason only the contract between the Department of Homeless
Services and Samaritan Village should be denied. Further, the State has recently allocated $63
million to assist homeless families and keep them out of the shelter system. The State is doing
what it can to help keep families in their homes and we need the city to do its part by keeping
families in their homes and not continuing to build homeless shelters throughout the borough.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate contact me at my office. Thank you for
consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,

Mike Miller
Member of Assembly
District 38
ALBANY OFFICE: 542 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248 518-455-4621 FAX: 518-455-5361
DISTRICT OFFICE: 83-91 Woodhaven Boulevard, Woodhaven, New York 11421 718-805-0950 FAX: 718-805-0953
Email: millermg@assembly.state.ny.us