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Tompkins County authorizes Volunteers of America to run CodeBlue shelter and warming center
Summary
The legislature unanimously authorized a contract with Volunteers of America to run overnight CodeBlue shelter services, a daytime warming center and limited housing case management this winter; county officials emphasized the contract is meant to complement, not replace, year‑round housing services.
The Tompkins County Legislature voted unanimously on Oct. 7 to authorize a contract with Volunteers of America (VOA) to provide CodeBlue overnight sheltering, a daytime warming center and targeted housing case management services.
County Administrator Marcel Comphy said the county has been negotiating with VOA to prepare a Cherry Street facility to serve as the CodeBlue location and a daytime drop‑in site. "This resolution allows them to provide that service as well as day drop‑in and some degree of case management," Comphy said, and stressed the need for complementary year‑round housing interventions so residents do not rely solely on seasonal sheltering.
Social‑services staff and VOA representatives told the legislature the contract’s largest costs are staffing for the overnight shelter and the new day center; a small portion of the budget covers housing case management to help participants move to permanent supportive housing. VOA indicated existing partnerships with local service providers and said it will coordinate warm handoffs, regular case conferences and designated points of contact with partner agencies.
Legislators asked that future contract cycles include an RFP or an annual review and metrics so community partner agencies can weigh in; county staff agreed to add performance metrics and to engage partners in implementation planning.
