Tompkins County seeks developer for emergency shelter

ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County is looking for help designing and building an emergency shelter to serve homeless people in the county.

The county released a July 18 request for qualifications (RFQ) from development partners to design and develop an accessible, safe, and inclusive shelter to house about 100 adults. The RFQ is available on bidnetdirect.com and interested vendors are encouraged to visit that site for more information.

“Tompkins County is ready to invest in a bigger, better shelter with more beds and increased access to government and not-for-profit services for the people we serve,” Tompkins County Legislature Chair Dan Klein said in a release announcing the project. “The development of emergency shelter beds is one critical step toward addressing homelessness. I continue to believe that it will take an ongoing coordinated effort on the part of our entire community to help house people in need.”

The successful developer identified through the RFQ process will work closely with the county to ensure the shelter is designed and built to meet the needs of the community. The county expects the developer will pursue funding for the project from outside sources and agencies including state programs.

The shelter will be a New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) certified facility open 365 days a year. It will serve as a centralized hub for area service providers, giving access to direct services without the need for transportation to other facilities. It will also incorporate features to enhance security and provide safety for residents, staff, and the surrounding community.

The local homelessness response system, supported by Tompkins County, provided shelter to an average of 132 people per day between October 2022 and September 2023, according to the most recent data available.

“One of the first objectives identified in the county’s strategic operation plan was to implement more emergency shelter beds and other programs in a housing system that meets our community’s needs,” Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes said. “We’re measuring progress on the percentage of individuals who find permanent housing after using emergency shelter. It will be crucial that the shelter we ultimately develop offers direct services and resources to people with as few barriers as possible.”