Homelessness has increased by 75 percent in Binghamton since 2016. With this kind of a problem, the city is taking action.
"Homelessness more than anything else is a housing issue and this project is a strong and significant step toward providing supportive and permanent housing again for those who are most vulnerable," said Southern Tier Homeless Coalition Coordinator Rebecca Rathmell.
A property that used to be home to blighted buildings has been wiped out. Now, a 19-unit homeless housing project is being put in its place.
"The concept is that hopefully from the time they come in within a year or two, they'll move back out to the community and then go out and be ready to do other stuff,” said Family Enrichment Network Executive Director Darrell Newvine. “And then we can come back and serve more homeless people."
The housing center will provide support services for residents, including case management, rental assistance, and adult literacy classes. It's also right down the road from the Lee Barta Community Center, which offers even more help.
"When you have families in need on one side of the street and the Lee Barta Center on the other side, the best thing we can do is come together, said Jacqueline Gerchman, Executive Director of United Way Broome."
By this time next year, the empty lot will be transformed into a complex which will house more than 70 people living in homelessness. But the work doesn't stop there.
"More affordable housing development is certainly needed, targeted to the homeless and extremely low income population. There are other strong members of the Southern Tier Homeless Coalition that are providing that housing already or are anticipating new projects, so we're just anticipating what's to come," said Rathmell.
One thing to come is certain.
“There will be a building behind us and parking and actually across the street there will be parking and a playground. So we're going to make this hopefully a beautiful project," said Newvine.
Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2019.