NORWICH – More than one year after the Chenango Housing Council pitched an idea for a homeless shelter in Chenango County, the organization is coming closer to making a similar idea a reality.

The Chenango Housing Council (CHC), an agency developed to address substandard housing and homelessness in the county, is pursuing plans of establishing a transitional and permanent supportive housing in Norwich. Like a homeless shelter, the facility would address emergency needs of homeless and at risk families, but also provide intervention services and subsidized housing for those who qualify.

The purpose, explained CHC grant developer Gary Quarella, is to help rural homeless individuals and families get back on their feet and become self-sufficient through the availability of support programs and case management. The CHC plans to submit a proposal for an intervention grant available through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. CHC is currently working with a consultant out of Albany to have a concept submitted to OTDA by the fall with a goal of having an completed application in by spring, 2015.

“The biggest issue the (CHC) is dealing with right now is homelessness and obtaining the funds to create a transitional housing facility,” Quarella said. “The challenge is getting the funding for a good site that's accessible to people with disabilities and also good for people transportation wise.”

The CHC is comprised of partnering Chenango County housing agencies, including the Department of Social Services; the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities; Area Agency on Aging; Chenango County Code Enforcement; Chenango Housing Improvement Program; the United Way; City of Norwich; Cornell Cooperative Extension; Habitat for Humanity; Norwich Housing Authority; and Opportunities for Chenango. CHC plans to use staff from multiple agencies to provide human services at the transitional and supportive housing facility.