Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple is taking his Sheriff’s Homeless Improvement Program to the next level.

Back in 2020, he turned an obsolete wing of the jail into a temporary home for men who needed help getting back on their feet. Now there’s dedicated space for homeless women and their children.

It all started a few years ago. Apple saw that many, if not most of the people who being released from prison and jail were ending up homeless.

He had space in the county jail because fewer people were being locked up for drug possession, so he turned a wing into this home for the homeless.

The jail gates have been turned into doors that can be opened from both sides.

It opened in 2020 for men who were trying to get back on their feet. All the services they need to find a job, save money and get their own apartment. A woman was also occasionally allowed to stay there.

Now this new expansion for women includes 45 additional rooms. There are two suites with three rooms and a main entrance door to accommodate people with kids.

It was all made possible by a $500,000 federal grant and donations from many, including Broadview and its CEO.

Meet one woman who says this program really helped get her life back on track, and how she’s thrilled many others can now be helped, by watching the video of Mark Mulholland’s story.