Residents, advocates press Sullivan County Legislature to apply for $8 million gateway housing grant as deadline nears

Members of the public pressed the Sullivan County Legislature during Monday’s executive committee meeting to agree on a location and submit an application for a state “gateway housing” grant they said could provide up to $8 million to build transitional housing.

Residents and advocates at the microphone described the county’s current emergency‑housing costs and urged immediate action to avoid losing available state funds. One public commenter described the choice to delay as “fiddling while Rome burned” and urged legislators to “put aside your differences, agree on a site that is feasible, and move forward.”

Why it matters: speakers said the grant is site‑specific and that missing a submission window could mean the county loses a substantial funding opportunity tied to constructing a facility that would include shelter and wraparound services. Multiple commenters said the county is spending increasing sums on emergency motel placements and other short‑term housing that could be reduced with a permanent facility.

Discussion and claims from public commenters Public commenters pressed for speed and urgency. A resident who identified themselves as an advocate for people experiencing homelessness said, “By moving forward quickly and picking a site and submitting an application, you stand a much better chance” of winning grant funds to build a 20‑bed facility. Another commenter said the county is “throwing money away” on short‑term emergency housing and on added municipal costs such as policing.

Several commenters…