Tuesday will be the last night of operation for the Code Blue shelter site at 300 North Tioga Street in Ithaca. This temporary location was opened on November 24 to provide shelter for unhoused individuals during nights with freezing temperatures. Department of Social Services staff and community partners are working with clients currently utilizing the Code Blue site to secure housing or other forms of shelter. Since its opening, 153 unduplicated individuals have spent one or more nights at the Code Blue shelter, with typical nights serving 20-40 people.
After April 15, when temperatures are expected to fall below 32 degrees F, Code Blue sheltering will be provided at other locations.
To access Code Blue sheltering during business hours (Monday through Friday 8 am-4:30 pm), individuals may come to the Department of Social Services at 320 West Martin Luther King/State Street or call the department’s emergency housing services at (607) 274-5030.
To access Code Blue sheltering after hours or on weekends, people may call the non-emergency dispatch at (607) 272-2444 to be connected to the Department of Social Services’ on-call service.
The Code Blue shelter and its residents also received generous support from local churches and non-profit organizations, which opened their commercial kitchens and mobilized countless volunteers to provide breakfasts, lunches, dinners, hygiene and personal care items, and coordinated food donations from local vendors and meal trains. Tompkins County extends its gratitude toward these congregations and their volunteers who dedicated their time and resources and shared much-appreciated meals, smiles, and empathy.
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