POUGHKEEPSIE – A proposal to purchase a property in the City of Poughkeepsie and turn it into a homeless shelter with a variety of ancillary services was passed by the Republican majority of the Dutchess County Legislature on Monday evening. Democrats at the county and city levels have opposed the plan.
After a vote of 17-8, the legislature authorized the spending of $3.1 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase the property at 26 Oakley Street for the purpose of establishing an emergency housing shelter. A resolution establishing a stakeholder group to serve as an advisory committee was adopted unanimously.
City of Poughkeepsie Common Councilmember Yvonne Flowers argued against the plan for the shelter. “We all appreciate the county trying to address the homeless issue in Dutchess County but placing the shelter in the most challenging area of the City of Poughkeepsie is not conducive to helping our homeless population effectively, especially when many are dealing with drug addiction and mental illness.”
Flowers continued against the shelter, noting that “We are doing the best we can to improve the Northside of Poughkeepsie… but we are tired of always being in survival mode and tired of our children being exposed to elements that would not be tolerated in other neighborhoods in our city or our county.”
The stakeholder group will consist of up to 11 members and intends to “ensure meaningful community input into the development and ongoing operations of the proposed emergency housing facility for individuals experiencing homelessness,” according to Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver. The members will come from various backgrounds, and will include one county legislator, one representative of a local school, neighbors, business owners, a Poughkeepsie city councilperson, and a local faith leader.
With the commencement of work at Oakley Street, the stakeholder group brainstormed in the workgroup and enacted by the legislature is now free to commence its work as well. The group will review the Request for Proposal (RFP) for a vendor to work on the facility and will also have formal input on selecting a facility director.
“Coming on the heels of the Stakeholder committee being established, we’re taking concrete steps to fight homelessness in Dutchess, and I look forward to what the Emergency Housing Facility will accomplish in the future, both for Poughkeepsie and the county generally,” said Pulver. “I am glad to see the legislature take action to fight homelessness because we need to help our fellow residents who are suffering.”
