Local Law # 6 of 2023

RESOLUTION #150

(Regular Full Meeting 07/05/2023)

RESOLUTION #150

APPROVAL/ LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE CODE OF PUTNAM COUNTY BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 170 ENTITLED “HOMELESS SHELTERS”

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the County of Putnam as follows:

Section 1.

A new Chapter 170 is hereby added to the Code of the County of Putnam to read as follows:

CHAPTER 170

HOMELESS SHELTERS

• 170-1 Purpose.

The County has a critical interest in maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of its residents. As such, it has fallen on the County to take steps to ensure that neither external municipalities nor local businesses attempt to subvert state law and threaten the orderly functioning of this County by improperly operating a homeless shelter without appropriate government authority or resources to care for those in need. Putnam County may legislate such matters under the authority granted to it by Municipal Home Rule Law § 10(1)(ii)(a)(12), which allows it to adopt and amend local laws related to the government, protection, order, conduct, safety, health and well-being of persons or property therein.

• 170-2 Definitions.

Homeless shelter

Any building or physical location that provides overnight sleeping accommodations and is substantially intending to provide such accommodations to the homeless in general or for specific populations of the homeless.

Temporary housing

Temporary housing shall include any facility maintained primarily for overnight occupancy by persons who are provided at least some part or portion of the use of the facilities, including but not limited to hotels, motels, camping units, or other rental properties.

• 170-3 Shared services agreement required.

No municipality outside of Putnam County, or agent thereof, may offer or provide temporary housing within Putnam County, thereby creating a homeless shelter as defined above, without first entering into a shared services agreement with Putnam County to provide said services.

Section 2.

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the NYS Secretary of State.