homelessness

The meeting took place almost a month after a fire destroyed a motel in Broome County used as temporary housing for homeless people. The fire killed six and displaced over 50 people.

Monday marks three weeks since a fire destroyed the Knights Inn motel in Endwell on June 22. Many of the residents did not have permanent housing.

Over 130 people attended a town hall to discuss solutions to homelessness in Binghamton.

According to the Binghamton Police Department (BPD), 45-year-old Peter Bennedum was homeless at the time of the attack. He remained in critical condition at a local hospital until he was declared deceased on May 5.

Homelessness rates have increased by almost 200 percent in New York's Southern Tier over the past 15 years. A new team of outreach workers is trying to support people who live outside in the mostly rural region.

Housing advocates and organizers gathered in downtown Binghamton Saturday, handing out hot food, warm clothes, and harm reduction supplies like fentanyl test strips and the overdose-reversing drug naloxone.

The county’s only year-round shelter, operated by St. John’s Community Services, closed last month.

Elmira residents packed the city courthouse Monday night. Many were against the measure and asked the city not to pass it.

The law would have placed fines on people in "unauthorized campsites" of up to $1,000 and one year in jail, depending on the number of violations. Oftentimes, the campsites in question are created by people who are homeless.

The Binghamton City Council passed legislation last week to include people facing homelessness as a protected group under the city’s anti-discrimination laws.The legislation prohibits local institutions, landlords and employers from denying services to residents because of their housing status.