The pandemic could create challenges for emergency relief programs this winter. As WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports, Saratoga County is hoping to provide additional space for Code Blue Saratoga.
Last March, as the pandemic took hold, Code Blue Saratoga – managed by Shelters of Saratoga – ran out of space at its temporary emergency shelter on Adelphi Street in Saratoga Springs due to social distancing requirements.
The city assisted Shelters of Saratoga by locating an emergency shelter at the Saratoga Senior Center on Williams Street. Later, the Holiday Inn in downtown Saratoga Springs also provided rooms.
To avoid a similar issue this year, Shelters of Saratoga has been looking for more space. Duane Vaughn stepped in as executive director of the non-profit earlier this month.
“We’re kind of expecting an uptick in homelessness this winter. So Adelphi, it’s still going to be used, but we have to reduce the amount of people that we can have at Adelphi because of the pandemic,” said Vaughn.
On Tuesday night, Saratoga Springs county supervisor Matthew Veitch announced to the city council that the county had worked out an agreement with SOS to provide the first floor of a vacant county-owned property on Woodlawn Avenue.
“Interesting discussion at the Board of Supervisors, at our Buildings and Grounds committee, but we did unanimously agree as a committee to go ahead with a lease from October 1st through March 31st to coincide with the Code Blue season for SOS,” said Veitch.
Veitch said the county envisions the building to be used as a resource center, but there is room for overflow if needed.
Vaughn says he hopes the property can also be used as a daytime drop-in center, where individuals experiencing homelessness can be connected with services.
“So for example, if someone needs a connection to public health, or vaccines, or employment. Hopefully we can bring some these services, or other non-profits, to that location a couple of hours a week. So essentially, what I’m saying is, let’s see if we can bring services to the clients,” said Vaughn.
The idea to use the county building, according to Veitch, was supported unanimously by the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Law and Finance Committee, and by the Board of Supervisors.
But after Veitch delivered the update to the city council, Mayor Meg Kelly was somewhat skeptical.
“This is the first I’ve heard about this. But nobody’s discussed this with the city, as far as the mayor, and I feel that there’s a big disconnect here,” said Kelly.
The Code Blue program, first established in 2013, has bounced among several locations over the years in Saratoga Springs. Neighbors of the program have been critical of individuals gathering during the day. The Woodlawn Avenue location is across the street from a parking garage where people often congregate.
Kelly said staffing during the Code Blue season, when shelters depend on volunteers, has been a recurring issue.
“The staffing over there is critical. Because now we have more neighbors that are going to be calling the mayor. So, I don’t know if anyone’s discussed that with them. But it’s critical that we have this running as a real operation, not just an overflow. Because this is where the problems come, where things aren’t thought out,” said Kelly.
Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton told Veitch she is eager to have more discussions about how best to prepare as the cold months arrive.
“I would love to be able to sit down with SOS and you guys to talk about how, for example, transportation is going to work between the Code Blue and Adelphi Street when there’s overflow, and how they’re getting over to the Woodlawn location, and how we’re managing this,” said Dalton.
As the county-owned building on Woodlawn Avenue is listed for sale, the city council recently sent a letter to the board of supervisors expressing its interest in purchasing the property.
The city has experienced issues related to parking city vehicles and space limitations inside City Hall, a nearly 150-year-old structure that recently reopened after an extensive renovation following a fire two years ago.
