Tompkins committee hears shelter concerns and Code Blue data; Continuum of Care readies point-in-time count

A public commenter and county staff on Thursday urged a broader array of shelter options and better navigation services for people experiencing homelessness, as Tompkins County Department of Social Services officials reported recent Code Blue shelter use and the county Continuum of Care previewed its January point-in-time count.

Amanda Kirschessner, a member of the public, told the Housing & Economic Development Committee that current downtown sheltering concentrates different populations and can amplify conflicts. "Putting it near the jungle where a lot of active drug use is happening is a really bad idea," she said, urging separate shelter solutions for people with active substance-use disorders, families and other vulnerable groups.

Why it matters: Committee members heard both community concerns and agency data showing continuing demand for emergency shelter. The…