Permanent Code Blue Shelter for Saratoga County

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY.Y (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Law and Finance Committee voted unanimously to purchase a building and land for Saratoga Springs’ first permanent Code Blue shelter. “The county has a responsibility that's mandated by New York State that we need to fulfill, we need a permanent location because we're in a difficult position year to year trying to find a code blue shelter,” said Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Phil Barrett.

The property is located at 96 Ballston Avenue, across the street from Saratoga Plaza. It’s coming in with a price tag of nearly $3,000,000. “We have indications it's worth much more than that. If you have a piece of property where you can build a multitude of apartments condos right, there on that site that's an extremely valuable piece of property for that reason." Barrett says having a permanent code blue solution is a financial win. “You have a couple of things working as far as value goes, zoning which is very liberal zoning. And our project here would fit zoning. And secondly, the fact that there is what is now a commercial building on that property.”

He says the location is prime for services that are provided to people who are homeless. “There are other services as part of the overall comprehensive care trying to move people from homelessness to self-dependence. Yes, there are services there, and it's on the bus line,” said Barrett.

The Executive Director of Shelters of Saratoga is pleased with the vote, saying, “With this collaboration, Shelters of Saratoga will be better equipped to serve homeless individuals during the most brutal conditions of upstate NY winters with a safe, and secure code blue center."

Some residents at Tuesday’s meeting thought this vote was for a permanent homeless shelter. This code blue shelter would just be used during the winter months, when temperatures fall below 32 degrees. Barrett says the county hopes to have this place up and running by the winter of 2025.