Dutchess County to Host Public Forum on Dec. 13th
to Discuss Emergency Housing Facility Operator
Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County invites residents to a public forum on Tuesday, Dec. 13th at 4 p.m. to share their input about the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the operator of the County’s future Emergency Housing Facility and the Facility Director’s job description. The meeting will be held at the Department of Community and Behavioral Health’s (DBCH) Training Room, accessible through Entrance 1 of the department’s 230 North Road complex in Poughkeepsie.
Representatives from the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, Department of Planning and Development, and DBCH, among other stakeholders, will be in attendance. Those who cannot attend the Dec. 13th forum but would like to share their input can email their feedback at CDhousing@dutchessny.gov.
Dutchess County is seeking an operator for an emergency housing facility, to be located at 26 Oakley Street in Poughkeepsie, for single adults experiencing homelessness. The vision for the project is to create a facility with a progression of bed types and comprehensive wrap-around services to help individuals move as quickly as possible from homelessness to independence. The facility will be fully accessible and will include approximately 100 beds, bathroom facilities, offices, meeting rooms and community spaces, food serving/warming and dining space, and outdoor recreation spaces.
The County is proposing that a wide range of services be available to help individuals return to independence. These services include but are not limited to intensive case management, housing search assistance, assistance registering for benefits, financial literacy and asset building, mental health and substance abuse services, employment services, wellness care, legal services and recreation activities. These services will be provided via a combination of the operator’s staff, County staff and community partners.
Dutchess County, in coordination with partner agencies when appropriate, will provide:
- a director-level County staff to oversee County staff at the facility and the facility operator;
- exterior security through community policing by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department;
- comprehensive case-management services and follow-up case management after placement, including benefit enrollment;
- mental health and substance use counseling and therapy, including peer supports and recovery coaches;
- health and wellness services, in coordination with community partners; and
- employment services, job training and placement, in coordination with community partners involved in workforce development.
The Operator will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility, including:
- 24-hour supervision of individuals, in compliance with County and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance requirements;
- management of guest intakes and discharges;
- provision of three meals per day;
- building housekeeping services;
- facility security including guest screening upon entry; and
- guest engagement including facilitated recreational and enrichment activities.
In April, County Executive Marc Molinaro forwarded a resolution to the Legislature’s Public Works and Capital Projects Committee to authorize $3.1 million the County’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocation to purchase the 1.432-acre property at 26 Oakley Street and design the emergency housing facility; the full Legislature approved the resolution at its June 13th board meeting.
