Homeless Housing Project Garners Mixed Reviews From Locals
By Matthew La Malfa and Jason Thurston
With the Poughkeepsie housing crisis on the rise, officials and policymakers continue to search for remedies. This past June, the county legislature approved a plan investing $750,000 to redevelop the decommissioned Dutchess County Jail into an emergency homeless shelter. While the plan gives hope to combat the local homelessness issue, citizens of the area are apprehensive about the proposed changes to their neighborhood.
The original POD system, put in place by county officials in late 2015, has outgrown its use and effective lifespan. Originally meant to house 75 individuals, the newly proposed facility is expected to double its current occupancy. Expected to be finished by the end of 2024, the plan also includes preparing a staff of caseworkers to assist displaced community members and provide one-on-one sessions. Despite progressive change, the project has not made everyone so pleased.
Local business owner Kim Urban, co-owner of Thrifty Wholesale Tobacco on N. Hamilton St. sounded skeptical of the plan. She said “Honestly not a fan…” when referring to the PODS system currently neighboring Thrifty she commented, “We’ve had such an influx that [shelter residents] hang out in our parking lot… I mean it’s a mess. They litter in the parking lot they don’t clean up after themselves, and then they come in here and they steal.” Employees also working at the location echoed these sentiments.
Despite the concerns of locals, the county legislature is continuing to move forward with their plans. Recently, a feasibility study conducted estimated the total cost of the renovations to be approximately $3.8 million. The legislation is in response to Poughkeepsie’s rising homeless population, which is hovering above the national average as per the 2020 U.S. Census.
In response to the ever-present housing situation, local officer Sgt. Edwin Acken said, “I think it’s a good place for people to go seek shelter… it’s an asset, they got to have somewhere that they can assist people.”
While some view the renovations as an opportunity for Poughkeepsie, others see it as potentially harmful to the community. Overseeing the project is the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department, who have not yet commented on the current status of the renovations taking place. Despite concerns about the ongoing plans, locals can only hope for a positive outcome for all parties.
Matthew La Malfa and Jason Thurston