homeless housing

The Council voted Wednesday to “accept” a policy proposal on the issue. That did not, however, put any legislation into law.

That way, the city could keep encampments away from crowded or dangerous areas, and concentrate them in places where there is better access to service workers and emergency responders.

Across the region, 483 people either stayed in shelters or on the street on a single night this year.

According to the proposal, the Ithaca Dedicated Encampment Site would house up to 50 residents experiencing homelessness.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters Friday that she has not yet determined whether the state will extend the soon-to-expire eviction moratorium. Some housing advocates are disappointed the governor failed to address the moratorium in her State of the State agenda.

Any household experiencing homelessness will be eligible to live there without income-based restrictions.

The $7.7 million project is funded mostly from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.