Council Members Cite Concerns at Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence After Initial Access Issues

New York, NY, October 2, 2026 —

New York City Council Members Julie Won and Phil Wong have voiced concerns regarding the conditions at the Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence in Long Island City. The council members reported encountering an initial obstacle when attempting to conduct an unannounced oversight visit to the facility.

According to statements from the council members, they were initially denied entry to the residence. Following this, they were reportedly granted access to the facility. Once inside, Council Members Won and Wong stated that they observed issues such as leaks within the building. Additionally, they reported hearing complaints from residents staying at the facility.

In response to the incident and the council members’ allegations, city officials clarified the protocol for inspecting shelters. Officials stated that prior approval is a requirement for conducting shelter inspections. They indicated that unannounced visits, such as the one attempted by the council members, are not the standard procedure and that prior authorization is necessary.

The specific nature of the leaks and the full scope of resident complaints were not detailed. The timeline for when these observations were made was also not specified. The council members’ concerns highlight ongoing scrutiny of conditions at veterans’ residences and shelter facilities within the city.

Story summarized from the original created by Shane O’Brien on qns.com, see more information here.

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