Bloomville House to be Trial for Transitional Housing

By Liz Page

BLOOMVILLE – An update on the use of a county-owned home in the hamlet of Bloomville as a homeless shelter for men isn't going away, but town officials said they are attempting to work with the county's Department of Social Services and Delaware Opportunities to place residents in the home who are looking to improve their lives.

Delaware County Social Services Commissioner Kieth Weaver and Shelly Bartow, executive director of Delaware Opportunities, were not able to answer questions regarding the cost of the collaborative transitional housing plan, they said, due to the complicated and numerous funding streams that are being merged for the project. After the project has been going for a while, Bartow said, she would be able to answer the question.

The plan is to use the home for a transitional program and provide the resources needed and give occupants the skill sets, transportation and other items they need, utilizing county programs, to be successful. Bartow called it a unique agreement apart from the DSS shelter in Delhi. It will have the flexibility that if the residents are not meeting expectations, they will go back to the shelter in Delhi. The occupants of the home will have a team of people working with them to help them get "back on their feet". They are hoping to have an agreement in place by October.

Kortright residents are concerned that continuing to house homeless men in the Bloomville home could lead to a similar incident that occurred in 2024, which led to drug arrests and a concern over safety of the community, including the day care across the street and a nearby playground area. Residents had complained about the men housed in the home prior to the incident and believe the county was not responsive to their concerns. It has been empty since. Now, Weaver and Bartow are promising to keep the community in the loop. They will return to the town board meeting again in November.

The home is owned by the county and Bartow and Weaver have indicated the county is unlikely to sell it, although community residents have offered to buy the home that was originally used as a foster home. Bartow indicated that the program is no longer working and it will remain a homeless shelter.

The plan is to vet the residents who will be housed there, starting with just three residents, who will be looking to find jobs and attending programs to help get their lives back on track. "Ideally, those without disabilities, who are capable, would get a job," said Weaver. Transportation would be provided by the county. Bartow said this should cost less than the continued revolving door with county programs. She said 50 percent is the most that could be reimbursed to the county.

Bartow has promised to be responsive and will be involved in the placements.

Residents remain concerned and want the specifics of costs and who will be housed there. The home can hold up to seven occupants and if it is needed for emergency shelter, it will be. The county DSS is obligated to find housing for the homeless, said Bartow. The numbers increase as the temperature falls and adult men make up the overwhelming majority of the homeless population in the county, which Bartow described as a serious problem.

Diane Lutz said it made more sense to house a homeless family in the larger home and put three men in a smaller home. However, Bartow said there are many more resources available to families.

When all was said and done, it will still be an emergency shelter and it will not be limited to three. Weaver said it does not matter where it is located, there is a stigma about being homeless. "It is part of the hurdle and is present no matter what community you go into. It could be anyone. It could be your brother, your parents. Anyone can fall on hard times and if you came up with less than an excellent upbringing, it's harder," he said.

Bartow said those placed in the Bloomville home will sign an agreement that they must abide or be removed. "We have agreed to start small," said Bartow, and added that the plan has never been to limit it to just three.

Lynn Pickett said the idea of the program is great, but she doesn't believe they have all their "ducks in a row" before launching the program. "We have to try. It is our chance to try it on a small scale. It's an ongoing two-way dialog with the community and it is important in order to help it be successful," said Bartow.

Residents of the small hamlet remain skeptical and John Rockefeller asked town board members why they didn't ask questions or give any push back. Supervisor George Haynes said, "There is little we can do. The county is going to use it, so we may as well make it the best we can, rather than fight every step of the way. We are not thrilled with it either."

In other business: The town highway crew will be sealing Bloomville Hill Road and preparing to pave at the sand shed. Supervisor Haynes said the budget worksheets have been passed out and the town board needs to consider the purchase of a pair of used trucks from the town of Cazenovia, to upgrade the fleet and cut down on repair costs. He estimated the cost of the trucks at $200,000 each. The town will likely have to bond for the purchases. He said a major water leak has been found and repaired, drawing 80,000 gallons from the tank. The boil water notice has been lifted and everything is back in good shape. A survey of the town's property which has existing water wells and possible potential for a new well is awaiting a report back from U.S. Geological Service testing. Board members approved a five-year plowing and sanding contract with county DPW.

Supervisor Haynes said the budget will be the focus of the next meeting on September 15 and believes the town can keep the budget within the allowable tax cap.