ALBANY – Many of the homeless shelters in the state outside New York City are in substandard condition with several health and safety issues that should be addressed immediately, according to a report released Thursday by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
He called on state and local officials to improve coordination and respond quickly to improve homeless shelter conditions.
Auditors considered 320 facilities to be in generally adequate condition, but the remaining 67 is reviewed were in poor or very poor condition.
At one family shelter in Westchester County, auditors identified excessive mold and mildew in some showers as well as a bug infestation and the remains of a dead rate in an air duct.
“Homelessness in New York, and in Dutchess County, is a growing concern,” said Dutchess Comptroller James Coughlan. “The findings in this audit help to shine a light on this problem. Identifying shelters that are below or above an acceptable standard is critical to protect those who are vulnerable and at risk, especially children.”
Coughlan said counties need to work more closely with local municipalities to provide better oversight of hotels and motels that appear more frequently than not to provide the level of accommodation necessary to provide adequate protection of those in need.”
Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach said he was encouraged to see the homeless facilities in Ulster were all rated as adequate by the state auditors. “It is clear from this study, though, that adequate isn’t good enough and that conditions need to be improved everywhere,” Auerbach said.
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