Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Steuben County report: warming center served 172 people as legislators debate cost, placement and future RFPs
Summary
Social services staff told the committee the county's emergency warming center served 172 unique people and connected 37 to services in Corning; legislators pressed staff on declined placements, nightly costs and options for future warming centers.
Social services staff briefed the Steuben County Health & Human Services committee on its winter "warming center" operations and Code Blue sheltering, saying the center served 172 unique individuals and connected 37 of them to the Corning warming center.
"We served a 172 unique individuals, and we were able to connect 37 of those individuals to the center in Corning," social services presenter Lise said in the committee room. She told members the county's total motel and support spending for April 2025 and April 2026 showed a modest overall decrease in spending and usage after the warming center opened.
Committee members focused on how utilization was calculated, including whether "declined" placements were included in per-night averages and how the county enforces a do‑not‑house list for repeat problem placements. One member questioned the methodology and cost calculations, saying, "I just find that ridiculous, and that's the problem with the state," when discussing state-directed sheltering obligations.
Staff said they included declines in their utilization figures because, without the warming center, the county would have had to arrange hotel placements for those same callers. The presenter also described safeguards used at the warming center, such as screening for drugs and paraphernalia and referral lists for people previously sanctioned.
Members discussed next steps for the coming season, including issuing an RFP to find suitable facilities and building contract terms that address security and transport. Several members urged planning that balances cost savings with neighborhood concerns and transportation needs. The committee did not take a formal action on the warming center itself during this report but generally expressed support for continued use and further planning.
