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 described the human effects of delays. “There can be no better light shown on the dysfunction of this legislature than this,” one resident said, criticizing perceived obstruction to the proposal and saying those prevented from moving it forward should be held accountable.

A member of the Senior Legislative Action Committee, Martha Scapa of Liberty, asked directly: “What is stopping this legislature from submitting the application and being granted $8,000,000? Have you no compassion for the homeless?” She said the grant would fund services such as meals, case management and access to medical and behavioral‑health care.

Legislators’ remarks and feasibility concerns Legislator Matt Scott, who spoke at length, said the county has an obligation to avoid wasting taxpayer money and to understand financial and logistical feasibility before pursuing the grant. Scott described past estimates and shifting project scope: “We are being told to build a 20‑bed facility for $8,000,000… that equates to about $400,000 per bed,” he said, and contrasted that with historical award averages he cited, noting previous programs had been funded at much lower per‑unit rates. He said the county lacks a completed engineer’s report and that the proposed site may prove infeasible or more costly than the grant would cover.

Officials and other legislators said negotiations are underway on other potential properties that could house more people than earlier proposals. One legislator said: “I'm not gonna spend taxpayers money… I will not waste $8,000,000 on 10 beds.”

Process and timeline Speakers repeatedly said the grant is site specific; several public commenters and some legislators urged the committee to identify and agree on an acceptable site quickly so an application can be submitted during the current funding cycle. Legislators and county staff noted outstanding steps still required for a timely application: completing an engineer’s feasibility report, negotiating potential property purchases, and finalizing cost estimates.

No formal application or vote on the gateway housing grant was recorded during the executive committee meeting. The committee moved on to its scheduled resolutions. Several speakers said they intend to press the issue at future meetings.

Context and next steps Commenters and some legislators referenced state grant cycles and broader state budget pressures that may reduce future funding availability. Speakers urged the county to treat the application as an immediate priority and to hold public hearings in towns under consideration for a shelter site.

Speakers - Resident (public commenter). Role: Community member. Affiliation: none specified. - Ken Wampler. Role/title: Resident/public commenter. Affiliation: none specified. First reference: block starting 2417.21–2448.52. - Martha Scapa. Role/title: Member, Senior Legislative Action Committee; resident of Liberty. - Legislator Matt Scott. Role/title: Legislator, Sullivan County Legislature.

Authorities []

clarifying_details [{"category":"grant_amount","detail":"Speakers repeatedly referenced an $8,000,000 state gateway housing grant; commenters said the grant is site‑specific and may require an identified property for application","value":"8000000","units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Resident (public commenter)"},{"category":"proposed_beds","detail":"Speakers described a proposed 20‑bed facility (10 bedrooms with double occupancy was also referenced).","value":20,"units":"beds","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Resident (public commenter)"},{"category":"per_unit_cost_estimate","detail":"Legislator Scott noted an apparent figure of about $400,000 per bed if the project cost were $8,000,000 for 20 beds; he contrasted that with prior awards averaging about $31,000–$64,000 per bed/unit in past programs.","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Legislator Matt Scott"}]

proper_names [{"name":"Sullivan County","type":"other"},{"name":"Petaluma Drive","type":"location"},{"name":"HHAP (Homeless Housing and Assistance Program)","type":"other"}]

community_relevance {"geographies":["Liberty","Monticello","Sullivan County"],"funding_sources":["New York State gateway housing grant (site specific)","county funds for emergency housing"],"impact_groups":["people experiencing homelessness","seniors","municipalities incurring emergency housing costs"]}

meeting_context {"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":12,"duration_minutes":85,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"high","history":[{"date":"2024-04-01","note":"Petaluma Drive location previously considered and rejected by the legislature"}]}