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Residents and council members press county over proposed 26 Oakley shelter; call for scattered-site sheltering and litigation readiness
Summary
Public commenters at the May 20 meeting criticized county transparency on 26 Oakley Street, urged scattered-site shelters across Dutchess County and praised the council’s stance. Speakers cited recent state housing vouchers and a pending federal policy (REST Act) as part of the housing conversation.
Multiple residents and community organizers used the public participation period at the Poughkeepsie Common Council meeting on May 20 to criticize Dutchess County’s handling of a proposed shelter at 26 Oakley Street and to press the council to pursue scattered-site shelters and legal options.
The discussion is significant because council members and residents described repeated county actions they said concentrate negative impacts in historically Black neighborhoods and urged the city to resist county plans placing large shelter facilities in residential areas.
Laurie Sandow, speaking during public participation, criticized local officials’ transparency and said the municipal administration and appointees had “an equal lack of transparency and…
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