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ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Tompkins County is looking for experienced emergency shelter providers.
The county has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) from organizations to help design, construct, and manage a future permanent low-barrier shelter in Ithaca.
The successful applicant will manage the facility, help plan the layout, handle client services, staff the building, comply with all standards and regulations, and coordinate with community partners. Officials say candidates will be evaluated based on experience and the quality of references. Interested organizations can learn more here.
“I encourage any qualified service provider to consider this opportunity,” said Tompkins County Administrator Korsah Akumfi. “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.”
The future shelter will be located on Ithaca’s west end at 227 Cherry Street, a one-acre parcel of land the county purchased for roughly $1.1 million in November.
“The development of an emergency shelter is one critical step toward addressing homelessness,” said Tompkins County Legislative Chair Dan Klein. “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 provider as a partner will make this vision a reality.”
Officials say securing a service provider before construction will help ensure the location meets the demands of clients, community partners, staff, and the surrounding community.
The search for a qualified provider comes amid the imminent closure of Tompkins County’s Code Blue shelter, scheduled to shut down for the season on Tuesday. It was likely the first and final winter at the temporary location, as the county looks to relocate this coming winter.
One possible location is the Cherry Street site, where two existing buildings currently sit, as the county does not expect to break ground on the future permanent shelter in 2025.