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Dutchess County is advancing plans to open a supportive housing center for homeless adults in Poughkeepsie. County Executive Sue Serino announced that the 100-bed facility, located at 26 Oakley Street, will serve single men and women. The project is funded by a $13 million grant from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
The new center will provide temporary housing and supportive services to help individuals transition to permanent housing. The facility aims to replace the existing PODS, which have served as emergency shelters since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. According to Dutchess County's official website, the Oakley Street facility will be OTDA-certified and will require individuals to engage in a case management process that includes assessments for mental health, substance use treatment, and job training.
Serino emphasized the importance of the project, stating, "With this HHAP funding, we have a real opportunity to change lives with our new model and we can’t let it slip through our fingers." The facility is expected to open by late 2026, with construction beginning in May 2025.
The County plans to close the PODS gradually over the next 12 to 18 months. The new center will also include scattered site emergency overnight warming centers throughout Dutchess County to provide shelter during the cold weather season.