ITHACA, N.Y. — The City of Ithaca is making a significant step toward enhancing its efforts to manage homelessness by hiring a part-time homeless outreach coordinator. This position will facilitate communication among various agencies and organizations, ensuring effective coordination for the city's homeless residents. The new hire is expected to be in place by the end of 2024, following a unanimous vote from the Common Council approving the legislation in August.
City administrators are gearing up to start the application process in the coming week. City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff, who has been overseeing coordination efforts in the interim, expressed confidence that the role is essential for the city to address the complexities of homelessness effectively. Notably, the part-time coordinator's focus will primarily revolve around managing initiatives related to "the Jungle," a well-known encampment located on city-owned land. The role complements the city’s response to its pilot policy on unsanctioned encampments, put into place in December 2023.
With the increasing numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness in Ithaca, the city has faced mounting pressure to address this issue. The lack of a dedicated staff member focusing on outreach has led to a chaotic environment where responsibilities are often passed among staff without clear ownership. "This is incredibly intensive work," Mohlenhoff stated during a Common Council meeting in April. The absence of a formal coordinator has made it challenging for local nonprofits and city staff to collaborate effectively.
In April 2024, the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division designated the encampment as a public health hazard, prompting the city to submit a cleanup plan. This situation underscored the urgency of hiring the outreach coordinator. When cleanup efforts began in May, city workers cleared tons of debris while assisting encampment residents in transitioning to designated outdoor spaces to avoid confrontations with law enforcement.
Despite some council members expressing concerns over redundancy—citing input from local nonprofits—others remain convinced of the necessity of the position. Alderman Patrick Kuehl voiced skepticism, suggesting the ground-level support efforts were already underway. His concerns highlight the ongoing debate on the most effective means to handle homelessness in the community.
The part-time position is funded under the city's 2023 and 2024 budgets, earmarking $37,000 to support this critical function. Plans are expected to include strategies from both local government and nonprofit organizations, enhancing coordination and increasing the effectiveness of service delivery to those in need.
As part of their strategy, Ithaca has collaborated with local advocates, successfully rehousing 40 individuals into affordable housing units at Asteri, a project repurposing the former Green Street Garage site. Community engagement and cooperation among local stakeholders will be pivotal for the success of this initiative as the city looks to improve the living conditions of its homeless residents.
With ongoing discussions in Ithaca regarding how best to manage homelessness, the city’s decision to create this part-time homeless outreach coordinator role represents a promising path toward more effective outreach and service coordination. The hope is that by reinforcing lines of communication among various organizations and city departments, Ithaca can streamline its efforts to support the homeless population, providing them with the services and assistance necessary for a better quality of life.
The hiring process for this outreach coordinator is set to begin shortly with the goal of having someone in place by the end of the year—facing an uphill challenge but armed with a commitment to community wellbeing.
For those interested in helping underprivileged communities, the position not only opens a new frontier in municipal outreach but may also reflect a growing need for similar roles in other cities facing homelessness crises. The local government prepares to reach out to the community, kicking off an essential search for someone passionate about making a difference.
For more information, visit the Ithaca Voice.
