New York City Councilwoman Joann Ariola, a Republican, told Newsmax on Monday that the city is “segregating people” by establishing a homeless shelter specifically for transgender people.

The city last week opened the first publicly funded shelter for transgender and gender-nonconforming people who lack housing in the country. The 150-bed facility, Ace’s Place, opened in Queens as a joint effort operated by the NYC Department of Social Services and the LGBTQ nonprofit Destination Tomorrow. In addition to shelter, Ace’s Place offers counseling, financial literacy workshops, and other services.

Ariola, in the interview with “National Report,” criticized the reported amount being spent on the facility, which, according to Gothamist, will cost about $63 million over the next five years.

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