New York Faces Struggle in Curbing Flophouse Schemes That Victimize Addicts

The newly renovated townhouse on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn was described as being ideal for a family. “Be the first to live in this,” a rental advertisement says.

Instead, about 36 men squeeze inside the building, climbing into bunk beds at night, waiting in long lines for one of three bathrooms in the morning and adhering to the strict rules laid down by the man in charge of the house.