Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Shelter topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tompkins County to vacate KeyBank CodeBlue shelter April 15; county continues ad-hoc sheltering and seeks long-term options
Summary
County administration said the temporary CodeBlue shelter at the former KeyBank facility will close April 15; county social services is providing shelter while officials seek longer-term options and review hotel use and shelter processes.
County administration told the Tompkins County Council of Governments that the current CodeBlue shelter operating in the former KeyBank facility will close on April 15, but the county remains responsible for sheltering people when temperatures fall below freezing.
"The current CodeBlue process will end on April 15," County administration staff said, adding that the former KeyBank facility currently being used will be vacated on that date. County officials said social services is providing temporary shelter at present because the county has no service provider in-county.
Administration staff described ongoing, daily work with social services to secure shelter provision and said the county previously used hotels as a stopgap. "Usually, we were using hotels," the administrator said, noting the county is reviewing that process and options moving forward.
Officials also reported several department-head vacancies — including commissioner for whole health, commissioner for social services and director of finance — and said those positions are posted on the county website.
Council members asked how the closure and sheltering plan will operate after April 15 and whether hotels would continue to be used as temporary placements. County administration said the county will continue to house people when temperatures fall below 32 degrees and will work with social services and municipal partners to develop a more stable plan; details on a permanent provider or contract were not specified.
The administration said it is monitoring federal funding changes for county programs and will provide updates if those affect operations. The county also noted a separate ongoing process to publish a new round of funding application materials for local agencies; announcements will be made when available.
Council members did not vote on any formal action stemming from the shelter update; staff were asked to continue reporting back to the committee.
