The city plans to put a family shelter on this lot at the corner of 10th and V Streets NW. (Photo by UStreetShuffle)

For as long as D.C. mayors have been talking about replacing the dilapidated family shelter at D.C. General with smaller facilities located throughout the city (and it has been a long time), a backlash to that plan has been expected. Namely, that some residents who live near the proposed shelters will object over safety concerns and the effect the facilities might have on their property values.

The issue has played out across the city in other projects, as well—these have been among the prime concerns over the development of the old Hebrew Home in Columbia Heights into affordable housing, for example—but it will be amplified by the colossal nature of the undertaking that Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this morning. Seven wards are slated for new family shelters, and Ward 2 is getting a women’s shelter.

The city is planning community meetings in every ward on Thursday to discuss the plan, and some residents are gearing up to express their opposition. In Ward 1, there is already a flyer circulating that lists “congestion, loitering, safety, and decreased property values” as among the worries for a shelter located on the site of a former church at 10th and V Streets NW.

Concerned residents are circulating this flyer. “The decision has been made with no resident opinion input.” pic.twitter.com/Uug1Hj1P4J

— Matt Ackland (@mattacklandfox5) February 9, 2016

Councilmembers and administration officials alluded to the possible challenges this morning.

“Are there going to be folks who are not happy? I think we would be not quite realistic if we thought everyone was going to be jumping up and down,” said Laura Zeilinger. “But I think we have laid out a very intentional plan to do what it was we’ve been asked to do.”

Although he is in support of the general strategy, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie may be the most high-profile opponent of part of the plan. He has already requested that the administration rethink the site they’ve chosen in his ward. “The saturation of services in any one ward, let alone a few neighborhoods, is unfair to the communities that surround those facilities,” he said in a statement that noted the proposed facility’s proximity to a men’s shelter on New York Avenue, the Adams Place shelter, and the Virginia Williams Center, among others.

But other Councilmembers and residents are more sanguine about the plan. “Do not underestimate the capacity of our neighbors…. to be supportive of this,” said Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.

There’s a Whole Foods going in a block away. All our property values will survive housing families in need. https://t.co/acNB6RKHg7

— Robyn Swirling (@RSwirling) February 9, 2016

in which residents living a block away from one of the city’s busiest nightlife corridors are suddenly super concerned about loitering

— Aaron Morrissey (@amorrissey) February 9, 2016

I’m sorry, did someone accidentally put a CITY in your neighborhood?

— Tim Krepp (@timkrepp) February 9, 2016

DC property values over last decade enjoyed increases among the very, very highest in the US. Market can prolly bear a few homeless units

— Jonathan O’Connell (@OConnellPostbiz) February 9, 2016

You know what? I live a few blocks away from DC General. You know the biggest issue I had? Explaining the Relisha Rudd signs to my kids.

— Tim Krepp (@timkrepp) February 9, 2016

More about the city’s plan to close D.C. General and replace it with smaller shelters.