Residents protest arrival of homeless at Queens hotel

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Protestors took to the street outside the Holiday Inn in Maspeth, Queens, after learning the Department of Homeless Services began moving in 30 homeless adults Monday afternoon.

While not confirmed by DHS, photos appear to show an unmarked white transport van unloading a group of men into the back of the hotel, which has been at the center of protest for months now ever since the Bill de Blasio administration announced plans to use part of this hotel and three more in the area as shelters for the city's homeless.

Mike Locascio of Community Board 5 said residents don't want the shelter in their neighborhood because it is close to five schools and four parks.

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo said he didn't know DHS would be moving anyone in into the hotel until he got a call from one of his constituents. He called it a sneaky move by the de Blasio administration.

While some here worry that the hotel will eventually become a full on homeless shelter, in a statement a DHS spokesperson wrote: "Due to local opposition to housing homeless New Yorkers, we have not been able to convert this site into a full shelter at this time. We are renting rooms for employed single adults and providing onsite services and security."