POUGHKEEPSIE … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced that following a successful mediation process, the County and the City of Poughkeepsie have reached a comprehensive agreement that enables the County to move forward with a supportive housing center at 26 Oakley Steet, to be known as the “Homeless Outreach & Program Engagement (HOPE)” Center, while addressing the City’s key concerns, including safety and neighborhood impact. The HOPE Center will continue the successful case management model that has already helped more than 100 people overcome challenges and find their path out of homelessness into permanent housing in the last 20 months.
The agreement, signed by County Executive Serino and City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers, is expected to be reviewed and voted on by the City Council and the County Legislature at their next public meetings as required by the agreement. The agreement also provides for a priority item for the City - the transfer of ownership of the YOU property at 35 Montgomery Street from the County back to the City
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “I am grateful to Mayor Flowers and the City for working with us - this agreement reflects what is possible when we focus on real solutions. With a clear path ahead, we can move forward to construct the HOPE Center and provide a structured, supportive pathway out of homelessness for our neighbors in need. The surrounding community can have the confidence to know that we will be a good neighbor, prioritizing both compassion and community safety.”
The HOPE Center will be a New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)-certified emergency housing facility, serving up to 99 individuals experiencing homelessness with structured support, case management and individualized living plans to create pathways to permanent housing. In 2024, Dutchess County was awarded a highly competitive Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) capital grant from New York State totaling $13 million to fully fund the construction of the facility.
The parties entered mediation earlier this year to determine how the County could meet its state mandated obligation to provide emergency housing to those in need while addressing concerns from City officials and residents about potential community impacts. The mediation was facilitated by a United States Magistrate Judge of the Southern District of New York, who will continue to serve as the neutral decision-maker for the enforcement of all the agreement’s conditions.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
About the HOPE Center
The new HOPE Center will replace the temporary housing units, known as the PODS, located at 140 North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie. The PODS, originally used to house incarcerated individuals, became an emergency shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic and have now exceeded their life expectancy, requiring costly maintenance and repair. Significant investment would be required to replace the roof to ensure structural security of the PODs. Relocating to the new facility at 26 Oakley Street will allow the Department of Community & Family Services (DCFS) to further expand the intensive case management program that County Executive Serino launched in 2024, which has significantly reduced the length of time people stay in emergency shelter. More than 100 people have successfully transitioned out of the emergency shelter to assisted, transitional, or permanent housing since October 2024, thanks to the dedicated case management team.
Transfer of the 35 Montgomery Street Property (YOU)
The County will transfer ownership of the YOU property at 35 Montgomery Street back to the City. This was a priority item for the City for the final agreement. The County purchased the long vacant and dilapidated, former YMCA property from the City for $10 in 2021 and invested $8.5 million for building demolition, remediation, and design work for a future Youth Opportunity Union. Approximately $3.9 million in remaining funds will be made available to the City on a reimbursement basis for direct construction costs associated with developing a community/youth facility. The County’s Division of Youth Services will receive no cost office space in the new facility for up to 13 years.
Next Steps
The terms of the agreement require both the City’s and County’s legislative bodies to consider the agreement at their next public meetings. The City Council’s next meeting is Tuesday, July 7th and the County Legislature’s next meetings are Thursday, July 9th for Committee meetings, with full Board meeting on Monday, July 13th.
In accordance with the Legislature’s resolution procedural rules and deadlines, County Executive Serino has submitted the agreement to the Dutchess County Legislature for public review and approval at its July 13th board meeting, along with the resolution to authorize the use of the State grant funding to begin the construction work on the HOPE Center.
While the mediation was a confidential process, County Executive Serino, at her monthly update meetings, provided updates to the Legislature’s Leadership about anticipated agreement timing, as well as updates on the construction bidding process and upcoming expiration of the $13 million HHAP grant if the funding is not authorized. The construction bids expire at the end of July and the HHAP grant funding expires in September.
Pending legislative approval, work on the Hope Center is expected to begin in fall 2026 and the facility is anticipated to open by the end of 2027.
County Executive Serino said, “This agreement is an important step forward for both the City and the County. Using the $13 million grant, we are ready to be a model for all of New York State of how to help people overcome the challenges that led them into homelessness and get them on a pathway of success. We are committed to ongoing collaboration to ensure the HOPE Center operates safely, effectively, and in a way that strengthens the entire community while helping our most vulnerable neighbors.”
