The Tompkins County Department of Social Services told the county Health and Human Services Committee on Aug. 20 that the Roadway shelter was housing 61 people, including 43 adults and six families (18 members total), and that another 31 individuals were staying in county-contracted hotels.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed for clarity on how and when the county can use limited funds to prevent homelessness. DSS staff said federal definitions and program rules limit when the county can pay for shelter beds, and they described eviction-prevention funding the county uses to keep people housed when possible.

Britney, the DSS presenter, said Roadway had 61 residents: “43 of those are adults and then 6 families with a total of 18 members.” She said two county residents were in out-of-county placements and that family placements were trending down as a caseworker focused on securing supportive long-term housing for families.

When a legislator described a caller who had been told to return when he was "actually homeless," committee members asked whether DSS can accept paperwork ahead of a housing loss. The committee was told that, under the HUD definition cited in the meeting, the county cannot begin paying for shelter until a person is literally without housing. The presenter said, “we couldn't start paying for somebody be in the shelter until they're truly homeless.”

DSS staff said the county does have eviction-prevention funds and other assistance that can be used in some cases to pay arrears — typically up to six months of rent — to avoid an eviction. Staff also said they are coordinating with community partners, including the Human Services Coalition, to provide supplemental support when DSS cannot provide assistance because of program rules.

Committee members recommended improving front-end assistance: making application information and packets available before a homelessness event so residents can prepare materials, and strengthening referrals to community agencies that can assist prior to a literal homelessness determination.

What’s next: DSS will review current protocols and continue collaboration with community partners to find ways to intervene earlier in eviction and housing-loss situations; staff said they will return to the committee with possible options for reducing the number of people who must enter shelter.