Chairman’s Corner: The Galvan Civic Motel

“When you don’t have a homeless shelter, you have a real problem trying to serve your homeless population because they get scattered about in different hotel rooms,” says Bob Gibson, Columbia County’s Commissioner of Social Services.

“It’s really hard to get to bottom and causes of that homelessness because they’re coming in at different times, they’re working with eligibility workers, who aren’t the same as their healthcare workers, who aren’t the same as their mental health workers. We noticed that in shelter models all of those things can be attended to right on site, and care coordination can be wrapped around it,” he added.

The Galvan Civic Motel, located in the footprint of the former Sunset Motel on Route 9 in Greenport, has been in operation for the past month or so with its 25 room filled near capacity.

It’s a big step for the county’s Department of Social Services, which continually struggles with providing housing for those most in need who are trying to get back on their feet.

This is a unique model, in that the Galvan Civic Motel is a private hotel providing emergency shelter that has entered into a partnership with the county, which provides the clientele and contracts with care providers. The county itself, therefore, is not charged with running a shelter or owning the property on which it sits.

The Mental Health Association now has its offices and workers onsite at the motel, there’s onsite security, and hotel management is there at all times.

“This is a much more client-friendly and client-driven situation,” Gibson said.

Gibson estimates the current county homeless population at somewhere in the range of 45-60, although there does exist a hidden homeless population that doesn’t want to be seen, and which ordinarily appears only in cases of extreme weather.

Among the root causes of homelessness can be substance abuse, mental health issues, and a lack of affordable housing. “You have to identify the reasons,” Gibson said. “We designate people who are most ready to receive intensive services.”

Those housed in the motel have more of a feeling of community and fellowship among people who are struggling, and they’re being assisted at the same time, Gibson said, adding, “There’s a sense they’re not in it alone. It sends a different message, that you’re not being housed away from the population in facilities that don’t demonstrate how committed we are to helping people. We like the progress we’ve made at the Galvan Motel and really feel optimistic about going forward.”

Overall at DSS, Gibson said, “We have a few initiatives that I think are really helping. We’re fortunate that we have a great community and a great Board of Supervisors that want to act on these. With that, we’re able to be a little more creative, and that creativity leads to solutions that will hopefully bring some real help to people that need it.”

Reach Matt Murell at matt.murell@columbiacountyny.com.