Tompkins County is planning for the design, construction, and management of an accessible, safe, and low-barrier emergency shelter to serve approximately 100 adults experiencing homelessness in the community. Tompkins County issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from service providers with a proven track record of delivering shelter services to partner with the County’s development team to design, develop, and, once constructed, manage and operate the emergency shelter. Interested organizations can click here for more information.
According to the most recent available data, the local Homelessness Response System, supported by Tompkins County, provided shelter to an average of 132 individuals per day between October 2022 to September 2023.
The organization identified through the RFQ process will work closely with the county and the contracted development firm to ensure that the shelter is designed and built to meet the specific needs of the community and allows for excellent direct client service provision. The emergency shelter will be a NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)-certified facility located at 225-227 Cherry Street in Ithaca. The facility will serve as a centralized hub for area service providers, providing access to direct services without the need for transportation to other facilities. The facility will also incorporate features to enhance security and provide safety for residents, staff, and the surrounding community.
The selected provider will be expected to provide shelter management services, including but not limited to collaborating with the County’s development team throughout the design and development of the emergency shelter, facility management, client services, staffing, safety, compliance, and coordination with community partners. Applicants will be evaluated based on their demonstrated experience, sufficient capacity, ability to comply with all relevant regulations and standards, and the quality of their references.
Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature Dan Klein stated, “The development of an emergency shelter is one critical step toward addressing homelessness. This RFQ for shelter management services is another important step toward fulfilling our commitment to developing, building, and managing a purpose-built shelter. Having a qualified and experienced service provider as a partner will make this vision a reality.”
Tompkins County Administrator Korsah Akumfi said, “I encourage any qualified service provider to consider this opportunity. The County has committed significant resources toward the goal of increasing the number of emergency shelter beds as identified in the County’s Strategic Operations Plan. Experience with providing low-barrier access to a safe sheltering option and trauma-informed, patient-centered services will be key when selecting the best provider.”
Commissioner of the Tompkins County Department of Social Services Kit Kephart stated, “The Tompkins County Social Services Department looks forward to the development of a much-needed shelter and working collaboratively with a provider of quality shelter services.”
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