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Sullivan County DSS reports shelter progress; committee approves rental-supplement and related agreements
Summary
Department of Social Services reported progress reducing emergency shelter census and described a large fire response; the Health and Human Services committee approved six resolutions including a rental supplement program and multiple agreements to fund preventive services and legal support.
Sullivan County Department of Social Services (DSS) staff told the Health and Human Services committee they have reduced the emergency shelter census and are seeing more landlords willing to offer longer-term leases, and the committee approved a block of resolutions that include a rental supplement program and contracts with preventive-service providers.
DSS presented an update that noted an emergency shelter census of 348 as of Feb. 3 and said the 12-month average of overdoses and other monthly calls has declined. Staff described recent housing placements including a family that secured a Section 8 voucher for a four-bedroom unit. DSS staff also described a recent multi-unit apartment fire in South Fallsburg that displaced 15 people; the department and local fire departments provided immediate mutual-aid housing and temporary hotel placements.
DSS staff said they are seeing a softened short-term rental market, which has allowed more landlords to accept longer-term leases and has aided placement efforts.
On committee action, the Health and Human Services committee moved several items forward by voice vote. The resolutions approved in committee included: - A proclamation designating April as National Public Health Week (approved by voice vote). - Reappointment of one person to the community services board (approved by voice vote). - Authorization to operate a rental supplement program to mirror the state's program and cover up to 85% of rental rates for eligible recipients (approved by voice vote). - Authorization to contract with preventive-service providers (approved by voice vote). - An agreement between DSS and the county attorney's office to capture county attorney costs to be claimed to the state (approved by voice vote). - An agreement between DSS and Together for Youth for an NSC program (approved by voice vote).
DSS staff said the rental supplement regulations attached to the resolution mirror the New York State program and that inclusion of the funding in the county budget made the program possible. The department also described an agreement to claim county attorney office work back to the state for fiscal reporting.
Committee members recorded unanimous "Aye" voice votes in each case and no nays were recorded in the committee transcript. The committee then adjourned.
Quotes and attributions appear in the committee record and are drawn from the DSS presentation and roll-call actions.
