POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced the county will use a $13 million state grant to implement a new model for addressing homelessness by helping people overcome barriers and transition them into permanent housing.
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has granted the county the funds for capital costs associated with retrofitting the 26 Oakley Street property in the City of Poughkeepsie.
The new facility will provide temporary housing with supportive services in one location and enable the county to close the existing PODS, which have served as emergency housing shelter since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Serino said Oakley Street will be a state-certified facility, with every individual going through an intake process prior to admission.
Individuals must be willing to actively engage in a case management process that will include an assessment to identify specific needs, such as mental health and substance use treatment, job training and education and other supportive services that will be available on-site, with the ultimate goal of creating an independent living plan, leading to permanent housing.
She said the county is also working to increase permanent supportive housing options and is working with the state to explore possible opportunities at the former Hudson River Psychiatric Center property including the former Cleveland House and vacant houses on the property.
The county executive said the county will issue a request for proposals for architectural design and construction management services for the renovations to the Oakley Street property.
Schematic design work was completed in 2022, which identified the estimated construction cost of $12 million.
She said the design process is expected to move quickly with construction estimated to begin in May 2025. A 100-bed facility is expected to be open by fall 2026.
