POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro has issued an emergency order to begin the process of converting the former temporary housing units at the county jail in Poughkeepsie into a 24-hour shelter for those in need.
Molinaro said it will allow the county to bring its daytime homeless operation and meals program under one roof, to serve those who may suffer from the economic effects of COVID-19.
“We certainly expect with the economic impact of coronavirus that there are going to be those certainly beyond the numbers we see today that are going to need long-term or longer-term assistance,” he said. “And to be able to convene all of these services under one roof and one location, with volunteer and non-for-profit help and staff, all trained, all prepared to act in a clean way so as not to transmit the disease, this is an important next step for us to prepare for what will be a 30-, more likely, 60-day response.”
The president said yesterday that the virus might not be brought under control until this spring or summer.
