Homelessness
There used to be a homeless shelter here. The last one was closed in May, 2022, contrary to my opponent's claim in May, 2023, that we still have one. Currently, those who need shelter have virtually nowhere to turn other than to Catholic Charities, which places them in motels. This lack of a permanent shelter and care, however, only leads to more homelessness and greater problems. It undoubtedly provides fertile ground for crime and does little to address the issues associated with homelessness.
The city received an ARP (American Rescue Plan) grant from the federal government for more than $1 million to deal with homelessness. Is that money is being allocated to housing, which has cost the City enormous sums? other uses? If so, is it being used wisely? To use these funds for housing, when what we need is another shelter and a systematic program to address homelessness and the issues involved: affordable housing, mental health, drug abuse and crime, for example. A purposeful, well-designed program will not completely solve crime and other related issues, of course, but it will certainly help, and it should cost much less than what is currently being spent. We need accountability.
Establishing a shelter or shelters may also help direct people in need to the agencies that are best suited to care for them. With all the vacant buildings, including houses, in Elmira, we should easily be able to find acceptable places to provide dignified lodging and caring, respectful support. The City's failure to care for the homeless is a sad commentary, not just on Elmira, but on all our towns and on Chemung County.
The city received an ARP (American Rescue Plan) grant from the federal government for more than $1 million to deal with homelessness. Is that money is being allocated to housing, which has cost the City enormous sums? other uses? If so, is it being used wisely? To use these funds for housing, when what we need is another shelter and a systematic program to address homelessness and the issues involved: affordable housing, mental health, drug abuse and crime, for example. A purposeful, well-designed program will not completely solve crime and other related issues, of course, but it will certainly help, and it should cost much less than what is currently being spent. We need accountability.
Establishing a shelter or shelters may also help direct people in need to the agencies that are best suited to care for them. With all the vacant buildings, including houses, in Elmira, we should easily be able to find acceptable places to provide dignified lodging and caring, respectful support. The City's failure to care for the homeless is a sad commentary, not just on Elmira, but on all our towns and on Chemung County.