Advocates for the homeless in Saratoga Springs are sounding the alarm over what they see as an “impending public crisis”.

People at RISE, an organization which operates Saratoga County’s only year-round, low-barrier homeless shelter brought their urgent message directly to city hall.

The homeless shelter on Adelphi Street serves between 30 and 35 guests each night.

According to the folks who run this shelter, they’re about to run out of money, and they are in dire need of the city stepping up to the plate to help them out.

RISE officials delivered their urgent message directly to city officials at the city council meeting Tuesday night.

They said they only have enough money to operate the shelter until the end of 2025. Beyond that, they say, is financially unattainable.
They add this shelter was never intended to be a permanent entity, but the problem is at this point there’s no viable replacement, nor is there any long-term strategy to remedy the situation.

Adding to the dilemma, is the uncertainty over federal funding that might soon be cut off.

This all comes as Belmont in Saratoga is one month away. If the city doesn’t give the money needed for the homeless shelter to survive by the time it begins, the fear is that the homeless crisis will wind up in full view of tens of thousands of visitors to the Spa City.

The shelter could close as early as June 3, according to Sybil Newell, the Executive Director of RISE. That would mean people who rely on the shelter would end up back on the streets.

Learn why the owner says she’s still optimistic a solution can be found, by watching the video of Dan Levy’s story.