KINGSTON, NY -- The Alms house in Kingston was first built in 1874.
"It served as the city’s poor house,” said RUPCO CEO Kevin O’Connor.
In the 1950s, it was a tuberculosis ward, and then eventually housed the offices of the county's department of health. But the building has been closed for a couple years. Now, the county has agreed to sell the property to RUPCO for $950,000.
"In the old building, repurpose about 34 units, and then maybe in the front, parcel to build a new building, 32 units of senior housing,” said O’Connor of the plan for the building.
O'Connor said the plan is to set aside 35 apartments for permanent housing for the homeless.
"We were able to submit an application for the Empire State Initiative, the governor’s proposal to fund 1,200 units of supportive housing,” said O’Connor. "And they are supposed to make announcements by September 1."
RUPCO representatives said the project is needed. According to the affordable housing organization, the county has only 27 shelter beds to house the homeless. In May, there were 177 homeless people in the county.
"We're going to be able to bring some of the supportive services we see; a care manager, perhaps an LPN nurse, 24-hour front desk coverage as well," said O’Connor.
Before RUPCO can purchase the building, the city's planning board must approve the site plan and a zoning change. RUPCO representatives said they hope to start construction by next summer.