Warren County approves building assessment and starts lease process to support 3–4-family shelter at Building 11

The Warren County Human Services Committee on May 21 approved a phased plan to convert Building Number 11 into a small family shelter, awarding the Wait House an RFP to complete a building assessment and authorizing the county to begin the legal steps needed to offer a lease longer than five years so the project can pursue state Homeless Housing and Assistance Program funding.

Nina, Department of Social Services staff, told the committee the building assessment will define renovations and anticipated costs for Building 11 and that the project is being phased: "We're looking to serve about 3 to 4 families. Once that's done with your approval ... We would look to submit the grant to OTDA for the HHAP," she said, referring to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

Nina said the lease needs to match the term of the HHAC contract: "the lease needs to be secured for the term of the homeless housing assistance corporation contract, which is 25 years," and that the county previously approved an earlier resolution allowing a potential term of up to 30 years. The county owns Building Number 11; Nina said the county will lease the building to the provider and the Wait House would be both the lessee and the shelter services provider.

Supervisor Trainer asked whether a dollar amount for the lease had been set: "So we're gonna enter into a lease agreement for 25 years. And is there a dollar amount attached to that?" Nina replied that lease payments have not been determined and will be developed in partnership with the Wait House and county facilities staff, including Kevin Hajos. The RFP for the shelter was opened on May 15, and Nina said HHAP applications can begin to be submitted around June 17.

Committee members discussed program scale and staffing. Department staff said the plan intentionally starts small to provide on-site case management and faster transitions to permanent housing; committee members noted that exceeding a certain number of beds could trigger 24/7 staffing requirements that would substantially increase operating costs and could affect project sustainability and funding eligibility.

Motions to award the RFP to the Wait House for the building assessment and to begin the local-law process authorizing a lease longer than five years (with a public hearing required) were approved by voice vote. Implementation is contingent on completion of the building assessment, approval of recommended renovations, facilities review, and successful HHAP application and contract.