69传媒

The project would replace an existing 16-bed facility at 290-292 Grant Ave. with a three-story, 80-bed emergency shelter. The existing shelter is operated by Chapel House, but the new shelter would be operated by the Syracuse-based Rescue Mission.聽

Proponents of the plan highlighted the proposed shelter's features, from support services for homeless individuals and families to 24-hour security. Cayuga 69传媒 has already committed $1 million聽for the construction of a new facility.聽

Chris Trevisani, vice president of business development for Housing Visions, the Syracuse-based developer behind the project, explained that it's part of a larger plan to provide more housing options in the 69传媒 area. While the shelter would provide temporary housing to those in need, other projects would focus on permanent supportive housing, permanent housing and pathways to homeownership.聽

But the planning board's focus was on the shelter. Christine Bianco, commissioner of the Cayuga 69传媒 Department of Social Services, detailed why there is a need for a larger shelter. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 249 adults and 89 children housed by the department in the shelter or local hotels. This year, the numbers have increased to 399 adults and 161 children.聽

As of Dec. 1, the department is providing housing to 90 individuals and 28 families.聽

"We don't have enough capacity in a shelter setting," Bianco said.聽

Demand is a factor, but so is the use of local hotels as shelter space. According to Bianco, the department uses four hotels in 69传媒 and two outside of the city to house homeless individuals and families. That is costly, with the county paying $100 to $110 per night for each room. She said one of the hotels may raise the price to $120 a night in 2024.聽

The hotels lack the features that the new shelter would possess, such as case managers, support services and security.聽

The Rescue Mission's Gary Mann noted that relying less on hotels for shelter space may discourage people who aren't homeless but qualify for services from seeking hotel stays.聽

"No one really wants to stay in a shelter. People are there because that's it," he said. "Hotels are a little different."聽

A public comment period after the presentation showed that while there is support for building a larger shelter, there is also some opposition.聽

Shari Weiss, executive director of the Cayuga Community Health Network, endorsed the project due to the increase in homelessness. Stephanie Hutchinson, executive director of the 69传媒 Housing Authority, said she supports the plan because it's the most effective and secure way to address the problem.聽

But two nearby residents spoke out against the project. Matt Fraher, who lives on Bowen Street, is a retired Syracuse police officer who believes the larger shelter will lead to increased calls for police service. While he acknowledged there's a need for more shelter space, he questioned whether the existing property is large enough for the project.聽

A similar stance was shared by Tony Ventura, a Hickory Street resident.聽

"We're taking this huge building ... and putting it on a postage stamp," said Ventura, who also noted the shelter would be located along one of 69传媒's busiest thoroughfares. He urged the project's backers to find a better site for the shelter.聽

The planning board did not take any action on the application for the proposed shelter. The board voted to schedule a public hearing, which will be held Jan. 2, and require Housing Visions to submit a longform environment assessment form.聽