With lots of loft space and a young population, Williamsburg seems like it would be a perfect place for a youth hostel, and has enjoyed a boom of hostel development in the past few years. (Much to NY Shitty's chagrin.) However, an investigation last week showed nearly a dozen hostels in the area that were operating without a certificate of occupancy. One raid exposed two hostels located in a N. Sixth Street building, closing "Loftstel" but letting Zip112 remain open after the owner argued that a ladder served as a fire exit, according to the Brooklyn Paper.
Officials are admitting that they are unsure how many hostels are breaking the law. Hostels must be located in a properly zoned area, with ownership permits and a certificate of occupancy certifying how the rooms will be used. The problem is that with so much abandoned loft space in the area, the hostels are hard to find. One salon owner complained to the Post that people looking for the unmarked HostL frequently come into her store, looking for the hostel entrance. “They’re running a business, they’re collecting money, and they’re doing it illegally.”
Residents are also worried about their safety around such a "transient" population. One resident said, "Until the laws change in our favor, we’re all at the mercy of the hotel and Toshi Chan," referring to the underground hotel run by actor Robert “Toshi” Chan on Driggs Ave. The city is currently expanding its investigation on reports of illegal hostels.
