80-Bed Adult Homeless Shelter at 227 Cherry Street
Tompkins County
Summary
The county is seeking a $15 million state grant to build an 80-bed adult shelter in Ithaca, covering the remaining ~$3 million locally, with Volunteers of America operating it. It would reduce reliance on hotel shelters for single adults.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Apr 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
Total project cost is about $18 million, with $15 million sought from the state and roughly $3 million from the county capital budget.
Adults experiencing homelessness in Tompkins County.
Taxpayers bear the local share of costs; some legislators questioned the proportionality of county spending on a small population.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Tompkins County Legislature - Regular Meeting — April 21, 2026
The county is going all-in on a purpose-built shelter: a $15 million state grant application plus about $3 million in local capital money, with Volunteers of America slated to run it. Construction could start in spring 2028. Meanwhile, the Rodeway Inn lease was extended so nobody loses shelter beds in the meantime.
Health and Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting — April 15, 2026
The county is seeking a $15 million state grant to build an 80-bed adult shelter in Ithaca, covering the remaining ~$3 million locally, with Volunteers of America operating it. It would reduce reliance on hotel shelters for single adults.
Budget, Capital, and Personnel Committee - Regular Meeting — April 13, 2026
The county is applying for a $15 million state grant to build an 80-bed adult shelter in Ithaca, covering about $3 million of the $18 million cost itself. Members debated whether the county needs a broader homelessness strategy given rising costs and population.
Health and Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting — March 12, 2026
Plans for a new emergency shelter in Ithaca were presented, covering bed counts, privacy, ADA compliance, and amenities — a key piece of the region's response to homelessness.
Related development
Cherry Street Permanent Emergency Shelter for Adults
Would reduce the county's reliance on hotels for sheltering adults, though families and some others would still need hotel placements.
80-Bed Adult Emergency Shelter, 227 Cherry Street
The shelter would become the county's primary shelter for single adults and reduce the use of hotel rooms for emergency housing.
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