Ulster County panel approves resolution directing data-driven review for warming centers, removes exclusive southern mandate

The Ulster County Legislature Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 13 approved a resolution asking county staff to confirm need and pursue warming-center facilities where justified, after members debated an initial draft that singled out the county’s southern region.

The resolution directs the county executive’s office and the Department of Social Services to use data — including the annual point-in-time count and other available information — to identify geographic distribution of unhoused individuals and available services before a warming facility is established. Committee members debated whether the resolution should require a warming center specifically in Southern Ulster County or be written to allow need-based placement across the entire county.

The committee approved amendments and ultimately adopted the resolution as amended. Legislator Nolan raised concerns that a geographically prescriptive policy could force funding or facilities into specific locations even where need elsewhere might be greater. Nolan said policy should be “focused on making sure that the facilities of this sort are well distributed.”

Legislator Collins and other sponsors said they sought to ensure services reach parts of the county that historically lack them. Collins noted the county’s funding and the prior Kingston warming center, which one speaker described as serving “anywhere from 40 to 60 people,” and asked that the language be broadened so a demonstrated need in other regions would not be excluded.

Several members pressed for using existing data streams before locking in a policy. A county official noted the annual point-in-time count is collected every January and can be used to justify any new sites. Committee members also debated whether specifying “southern” in the title or resolves would have unintended effects, and the sponsors agreed to discuss further with cosponsors and the executive office before finalizing language beyond the amendment passed at the hearing.

Discussion also touched on funding sources and program design. A committee member noted that state funding available for warming centers is limited and that adding more sites could dilute services unless additional funding were secured. The executive’s office staff and legislators agreed that data should drive decisions about siting, scope and operations.

By voice vote the committee carried the amended resolution. Members said they expect follow-up work between the executive’s office, the sponsors and interested legislators to refine the policy language, siting criteria and funding approach.

The vote concluded the committee’s consideration; members said they expect the executive’s office to compile the called-for data and report back before any program expansion is implemented.