Thursday, 29 June 2023 13:57

S.O.S Launching New Code Blue Shelter

The former Grand Union Motel, and future winter home of Code Blue, on June 27, 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos. The former Grand Union Motel, and future winter home of Code Blue, on June 27, 2023. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The former Grand Union Motel on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs will house the 2023-24 Code Blue Winter Shelter beginning in the fall of 2023, Shelters of Saratoga announced this week. 

S.O.S. will operate the shelter in partnership with Saratoga County. The shelter will offer semi-private rooms to individuals facing homelessness when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.

“In past seasons, the shelter was an open space lined with cots,” S.O.S. Executive Director Duane Vaughn said in a statement. “The new location will offer guests additional privacy, critical for restful sleep. Sleep is key to a healthy life, and we are working diligently to make accommodations as comfortable as possible. We are pleased to offer nightly shelter in this modified model this coming winter.”

In 2022-23, 271 unduplicated adults used the 61 available shelter cots at Code Blue on Adelphi Street, which was full most nights. 

The new location will shelter up to 80 adults and is in addition to the recently opened 35-bed 24/7 all-weather facility operated by RISE, a short walk away. RISE Housing and Support Services opened a year-round low barrier shelter earlier this month at the site of last season’s Code Blue shelter on Adelphi Street.

“We look forward to the collective impact our programs will have on reducing area homelessness,” Vaughn said.  “Reducing area homelessness is a collaborative effort among many Saratoga County human services agencies. We are better together.” 

Steve Ethier, owner of the Grand Union Motel said that while future development plans for the property are underway, the motel can provide safety to those facing homelessness during the cold winter months.

The Code Blue program is funded by the New York State Office of Temporary Disability in partnership with the County of Saratoga Department of Social Services.

To learn more about the Code Blue program and Shelters of Saratoga, visit www.sheltersofsaratoga.org

Read 1332 times

Blotter

  • Saratoga County Court Rick C. Sweet, 36, of Ballston Spa, pleaded to attempted assault in the second-degree, and menacing in the third-degree, charged in January. Sentencing July 3.  Seth A. Labarbera, 24, of Ballston Lake, was sentenced to 1 year in local jail, after pleading to criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, charged July 2023 in Saratoga Springs.  David A. Fink, 27, of Ballston, was sentenced to 4 years’ incarceration and 5 years’ post-release supervision, after pleading to attempted arson in the second-degree, charged August 2023.  Michael J. Scensny, 34, of Waterford, was sentenced to 3 years in state…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON  William Bergstrom sold property at 793 Rt 50 to KMD 793 LLC for $245,000 Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 2 Linden Ct to Donna Jordan for $449,980 John Moynihan sold property at 28 Fruitwood Dr to Joshua Matthews for $380,000 Ronald Taylor sold property at 1422 Saratoga Rd to Invequity Holdings LLC for $600,000 CHARLTON Tara Hicks sold property at 8 McNamara Dr to Andrew Sayles for $270,000 Jon Andersen sold property at 454 Finley Rd to Ryan Donselar for $475,000 CORINTH Steven Cole sold property at 28 West Mechanic St to Maurice Jeanson for $275,000 GREENFIELD Robert…
  • NYPA
  • Saratoga County Chamber
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • Discover Saratoga
  • Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association