Dutchess County announced the beginning of the planning for the usage of the Emergency Homeless Shelter to be built in the Dutchess County Jail once it is vacated. According to the press release, this build would be temporary until another location is identified. However, investment in infrastructure and employment opportunities is being made.

The portion of the press release outlining these plans has been republished below:

“Temporary housing units (PODS) were installed at the current jail site in May 2015 as a provisional solution to the costly practice of housing out inmates to other counties, due to overcrowding at the jail. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PODS, which were no longer being utilized for inmate housing due to bail reform, were converted temporary emergency housing facility to provide safe haven for the homeless.

“The PODS have continued to be utilized as the number of homeless individuals has grown significantly since prior to the pandemic. However, the PODS have reached the end of their useful life, and ongoing wear and tear have required increasing maintenance and repairs. Additionally, the PODS must be removed for the completion of the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center (DCJTC), necessitating an interim facility for the shelter.

“With the 1995 section of current jail set to be decommissioned when the DCJTC opens later this year, that section of the jail facility will serve as temporary location for the Emergency Housing Facility. County Legislators had the opportunity to tour the 1995 section earlier this year and concurred that the facility is a significant improvement over the current PODS and authorized construction design funding. Design is set begin late this summer.

“Until a permanent shelter location is solidified and ready to welcome guests, the former jail facility will enable the County to safely house individuals and most importantly, begin the critical programming that is not possible to conduct in the current PODS location.”

Description Of Uses Of The Jail For Homeless Shelter Location With Programming

“The first floor of the jail facility will serve as office and programming space to begin providing critical wrap-around services, including mental health, substance use, housing case management and vocational assistance. This can begin as soon the jail facility is vacated this fall.

“The second floor will be the living area, including sleeping quarters, and will be the focus of the majority of the construction work.

“Once a permanent shelter location is identified and opened, the 1995 section of the jail will be repurposed for other uses including housing needs.”