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Residents describe shelter problems and urge state, county action on Asteri building
Summary
Multiple public commenters accused the Asteri building of safety and health problems and asked county and state officials to act; one commenter said providers and outreach workers are overstretched and another detailed being housed in a shelter without shower access.
Several members of the public used the Dec. 17 privilege-of-the-floor period to press the legislature on homelessness and conditions at the Asteri building.
Laura Watkins said she has been homeless since Nov. 21 and is being housed in a Code Blue shelter that "has no shower." She told the legislature she is being housed at a cost of $4,080 a month and described being denied housing because of body odor. "Knowing that the Department of Social Services is paying these guys $4,080 a month to house me," Watkins said, asking where the money is going.
Zach Wynne described continuing drug activity and at least one fatal overdose connected to the Asteri building and urged the county to push the city and state officials for action; he urged contacting state Sen. Leah Webb, Assembly member (name referenced), Lt. Gov. Delgado and Gov. Hochul to seek additional resources. "The current approach is not working. Please do whatever is within your authority to try and get this crisis under control," Wynne said.
Other commenters, including a teacher who said budget cuts cost her job and Sherry Cortheis, urged the county to re-evaluate development decisions, tax abatement practices and support for families and services. Legislators acknowledged the concerns; several said they would pursue coordination with DSS, the IDA and other agencies and follow up in committee and at the IDA meeting as appropriate.
The public comments prompted several legislators to press for immediate measures (see separate article on the $10,000 contingency) and to plan deeper follow-up through Health and Human Services and the IDA.
