$1 million.
That’s one of the figures to keep in mind as supervisors continue to explore the idea of turning the old jail into a homeless shelter.
The $1 million is a rough estimate of what it costs Schoharie County each year to house the local homeless population—and considerably more than the $400,000 supervisors originally looked at, they learned Tuesday.
The $1 million includes $8,000 a month for transportation to things like schools and medical appointments and is based on a figure the state uses of $35,450 per person a year for housing only.
It’s also based on the number of homeless Schoharie County is putting up in hotels now: 23 adults and three children in 18 rooms.
But in the winter?
When numbers soar?
And there’s not enough room in the Code Blue warming center Catholic Charities is opening?
The number of homeless could climb as high as 100-130, Social Services Commissioner Donna Becker told members of supervisors’ Buildings Committee.
So far, efforts to market the old jail with an eye to creating jobs haven’t panned out.
Still working in that direction, SEEC is collecting RFPs from consultants who’d appraise the site and offer a best-use analysis.
The idea of using at least a portion of the old jail to house the homeless, while providing them with needed DSS, mental health, and legal services, is now also under discussion.
“I think it would be in the longer, rather than in the shorter run,” Buildings chair Steve Weinhofer said.
“There’s a lot of questions to be asked and answered,” including how much it would cost the county—and how much it would save.
“But I’ve asked Donna [Becker] to keep the process going. I don’t want this to go on for a year.”
Among the questions asked and answered Tuesday were which state agency would regulate the shelter?
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance—which Ms. Becker said is already interested in touring the site to make sure it would work.
“Bring them in,” Mr. Weinhofer said.
OTDA could also offer guidance on possible grants and funding, Ms. Becker said.
Who’d run and staff it?
Possibly Catholic Charities, possibly an agency like the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless in Albany; DSS Deputy Commissioner Steve Munford said he’d reach out to IPH for advice.
Would the shelter be for families or individuals?
Both, Ms. Becker said—though right now, there’s more of a need for individuals.
How many people would it serve?
That’s maybe the toughest question to answer.
Maybe 30, maybe 130 in the winter—though Ms. Becker said once they offer a shelter and not hotel rooms, “lots of people will say, ‘No thanks,’” which means the county is no longer obligated to assist them.
If the project moves ahead, Mr. Weinhofer pointed out the county may have to bring in an outside consultant to design it.
“Everyone knows it’s needed,” he said. “The question is going to be whether it’s feasible or not.”