Tompkins County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tompkins County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Housing Affordability and Target Market Analysis
The county accepted a $50,000 state grant to write a 2026-2035 Housing Strategy — a decade-long roadmap for housing policy. Committee members discussed how the funds can be used and how municipalities will be involved.
Downtown Parking Availability
Grand jurors, jury pools, and court staff are struggling without the Seneca Street garage; jurors get no parking reimbursement. The committee floated ideas like shuttles as the county grapples with downtown parking for years to come.
Housing shortage for single adults
Legislators and DSS dug into why it's so hard to house single adults — no Section 8 vouchers, few private landlords, rent over $1,000 against limited DSS benefits. Brooks floated an ADU-building fund idea to create dedicated units.
NYU Furman Center homeless response peer network
Tompkins County/Ithaca was accepted into a national peer network run by NYU's Furman Center to learn better homeless response strategies from cities like Allentown and Jackson.
Federal HUD homelessness funding in limbo
The county's homelessness services depend heavily on federal HUD money through the Continuum of Care, and changes at HUD could mean cuts. A local housing expert is building a timeline of expected impacts so the county can plan ahead.
City of Ithaca Zoning Reform Survey
The city is pursuing denser infill housing through zoning changes, including wider use of planned unit developments, so workers can live where they work. County Legislator Packman sits on the city's Zoning Advisory Committee tracking it.
SouthWorks/Gateway Affordable Housing Infrastructure Award
The county's $1 million state infrastructure grant now supports the renamed Gateway project in the City of Ithaca — 100 affordable units in two buildings — after Beacon Communities joined and the project shifted from the town side. Formal acceptance is expected this fall.
Community Housing Development Fund Round 26 Awards
The county put $80,000 of IDA money into one affordable Habitat home, and staff urged municipalities to pursue Pro-Housing Community certification to unlock state funding. Over $2 million is available in the CHDF.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Pressures
Tompkins Community Action has lost about 95 vouchers in two years, its waiting list (1,000+ households) is closed, and the state suspended new issuances until possibly early 2027. Losing vouchers means more people falling into homelessness — and costlier emergency shelter.
Federal Cuts Threaten Permanent Supportive Housing
HUD's attempt to slash Continuum of Care funding by 70% and shift away from permanent supportive housing has been blocked by federal courts, but the reprieve may be temporary. Local programs like Chartwell House and Magnolia House are safe for now, with cuts not hitting until 2028 if they come.
Harris B. Dates Drive Parcel — Affordable Housing Potential
The county has owned this 25-acre parcel near major employers and bus lines for years without developing it. Committee members want staff to bring back options — sale, lease, land bank, or affordable for-sale housing — by mid-fall. A failed 2012 development attempt shows both the potential and the political hurdles.
Asteri Ithaca and county homelessness response
A resident proposed the county buy the embattled Asteri Ithaca building and convert it into shelter and transitional housing. Chair Brooks noted the mayor cited a $186 million eminent domain figure and said the purchase isn't feasible now, but a housing presentation is planned for July.
Asteri Ithaca / Vecino Group enforcement
Mayor Cantelmo described a walkthrough finding broken elevators, damaged units, and unsanitary common areas at the Asteri, and said the Vecino Group hasn't been responsive to city inspectors. County environmental health has done five inspections since May 1 under a $40,000 penalty, with more enforcement recommendations coming to the Board of Health. Legislators urged maximum legal enforcement and better case management for residents.
Affordable Housing at 610 W. Court Street
An $80,000 CHDF award will help Habitat for Humanity build one affordable modular home in downtown Ithaca, sold at a steep discount to a buyer earning 60% of median income or less, with permanent affordability restrictions.
80-Bed Adult Homeless Shelter at 227 Cherry Street
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.
Community Housing Development Fund award for Compass Redevelopment Phase II
The county is putting $40,135 toward seven affordable for-sale manufactured homes in Trumansburg, part of INHS's Compass community. Homes will be all-electric and serve households up to 80% of area median income.
REACH Medical Respite and Supportive Housing Project
REACH Medical wants to turn the former shelter at 618 West State/State Street into 10 medical respite beds and 10 permanent supportive housing units — the first medical respite option between here and Albany. It would give people leaving the hospital a safe place to recover instead of the street or a shelter, cutting hospital readmissions by about 40%. REACH is carrying about $150,000–$160,000 in rent risk while the building sits empty pending funding.
Housing needs assessment and strategy update
Planning and Sustainability is launching an update to the county's housing needs assessment and housing strategy, funded by the IDA and a Community Development Block Grant. Community outreach will ask residents what kinds of housing they want built.
Hanshaw Village Water and Sewer Infrastructure
The manufactured home park's 110 homes rely on wells two miles away and a failing wastewater lagoon. A $1 million state grant would connect the park to municipal water and sewer, fixing a public health problem and enabling at least 10 new homes.
2024 Housing Snapshot shows county far short of housing targets
A new county report shows renters are increasingly cost-burdened, median rent is about $1,600, and buying a median-priced home takes over $26,000 in cash. Most 2017 housing strategy goals were missed, especially affordable for-sale homes and senior housing. A new 10-year housing strategy kicks off this year.
Proposed shift of homelessness programs to Health and Human Services Committee
Legislature leadership is considering moving Continuum of Care and low-income housing work from this committee to Health and Human Services. Several members pushed back on splitting housing by income level, arguing permanent housing should stay together and only shelter services should move.
Affordable housing funding carried into 2026
$550,000 in unspent Community Housing Development Fund awards is being moved into the 2026 budget so affordable projects in Ithaca and Dryden can still draw their money. It's mostly an accounting step, but it keeps real housing units — rentals, modular homes, and youth supportive housing — on track.