Catholic Charities of Tompkins-Tioga provided the Community Services Board an update on its A Place to Stay housing program, reporting that the program has served about 18 people since it opened in June 2024 and that the nonprofit is seeking a new women's transitional home after a recent sale.

Renee Spear, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Tompkins-Tioga, said the agency operates two transitional houses (one for men and one for women) and 14 scattered-site apartments for people with substance use or mental-health needs. “We also provide security deposit and rental assistance to try to help keep people in their homes and not become homeless,” Spear said.

Spear described a recently awarded Whole Health grant and a separate grant she identified as an “Ishai grant” to build 22 units on State Street intended for domestic violence survivors and people with mental-health needs, noting the development is expected in 2026. She said the Whole Health partnership allows flexible supports tailored to individuals, including intensive case management, peer support and residential staff assistance.

Program outcomes cited by Catholic Charities: about 81% of participants have engaged in services; roughly 73% have participated in employment services; about 44% have engaged in education such as GED or other training; and about 44% of participants have obtained permanent housing. Spear said the average length of stay to date has been about 131 days and that the grant allows up to a year of support for participants.

Board members pressed for operational details. Larry Roberts, a member of the Community Services Board and chair of the Mental Health Subcommittee, asked whether residents served by the program are chronically homeless or have varied histories; Spear replied that the program serves a variety of people, including individuals who have been homeless, people cycling through rehabs, and some coming out of jail.

Spear told the board the women's transitional house was recently sold and Catholic Charities is looking for a three- or four-bedroom home to replace it. “If anybody knows of a 3 or 4 bedroom home … please let us know,” she said, adding that no current residents lost services because Catholic Charities placed them in scattered-site units.

Board members and staff highlighted the program’s design decisions, including a low-barrier approach with no requirement for treatment or a clean criminal record, and the value of a small caseload, intensive case management and peer support. Harmony Ayersfried Bender, Deputy Commissioner, emphasized the partnership with Tompkins County Whole Health and thanked Catholic Charities for collaborative case consultations.

The board did not take formal action on the update. Catholic Charities said it will continue operating transitional and scattered-site units and requested community assistance locating a replacement home for the women's transitional house.

Ending
Catholic Charities plans to continue case management after participants move into permanent housing and said the Whole Health funding gives longer-term supports than some other grants. The agency invited referrals from the county Department of Social Services, Tompkins County Whole Health, coordinated entry and other local providers.