BUFFALO. N.Y. (WBEN).......Cold weather and code blue conditions are on the horizon.
After a fall of above normal temperatures, Erie County and New York's 61 other counties have to prepare for colder weather and providing state-mandated "Code Blue" shelters for the homeless.
Code Blue kicks in when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.
At issue: Erie County has leased the former Buffalo Creek Academy - a closed charter school at 514 South Park Avenue - for the winter and cold weather season stretching into next spring. The former school has room for 200 beds and will augment other existing Code Blue shelters like the Buffalo City Mission.
But, the deal has fractured some relations between Erie County and the City of Buffalo because the county signed the lease and announced the deal without informing some leaders including Ellicott District and Assemblywoman-elect Leah Halton-Pope.
The lease took effect Nov. 1.
Concerns have been raised by nearby residents, some of whom have taken a NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) approach citing security concerns.
Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre, who hosted a Nov. 4 informational meeting, said he understands the push back.
"There are some concerns and they are real," Dupre said.
Dupre said he, too, is concerned but also said that with cold weather in the offing, something had to be done.
Erie County was under a state mandate to create a Code Blue shelter.
"We don't have the time to wait any more," Dupre said. "We need to have a shelter."
The issue comes against the backdrop of a 24% increase in homelessness, according to the Homeless Alliance of Western New York.
Last year, there were 8,602 people in the five county Western New York region (Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming) region.
Of that total, 51% were single males and 49% were families.
Just last January alone, there were 2,188 people who were homeless in Western New York and 2,163 people sought some level of Code Blue shel;ter.
"There is always a sense of urgency when you are dealing with the most vulnerable of people," Dupre said. "The homeless deserve our help.."
Leasing Buffalo Creek Academy has become a talking point
Leasing Buffalo Creek Academy has become a talking point
