Residents of a New York City neighborhood expressed their displeasure with plans by a local nonprofit group to open a shelter for people with HIV/AIDS without first consulting the community, the New York Daily News reports.

The nonprofit Queens Alliance heard complaints at a public meeting from more than 100 residents of Elmhurst, Queens. By providing temporary and emergency housing for a maximum of 29 people, the group hopes to find its participants permanent jobs and housing.

Many local residents disagreed with the group’s plans. “It’s completely unsafe for all the children that play in the streets,” said Elmhurst resident Christine Chau.

“I understand what the community is saying…but we have to put [the homeless] somewhere,” said Yolanda Martin-Garibaldi, vice president of Queens Alliance.