Saratoga Springs, New York, Panel Discusses Homelessness as RISE Shelter Nears Closure Over Funding Shortages

RISE Housing and Support Services is closing the 24-hour homeless shelter it runs on Adelphi Street in Saratoga Springs, New York. According to The Daily Gazette, the shelter closes on Oct. 31, 2026, after three and a half years, and Saturday will be its final day open. Hoodline reported that the shelter closes for good on a Friday. The two reports agree on the Oct. 31 closing date but differ on the day of the week.

Hoodline reported that RISE has run the Adelphi Street shelter since June 2023 and called it the only 24/7, low-barrier homeless shelter in Saratoga County. RISE stopped accepting new residents on Sept. 1 to prepare for the closure, according to The Daily Gazette. At its peak, the shelter served 30 to 35 people at a time.

Yahoo reported that the city’s 24-hour shelter is set to close because of funding shortages. It said the City Council voted last fall to withdraw funding for the shelter. The source reports do not describe the council’s reasons for that vote.

Yahoo also reported on a panel discussion about homelessness, organized by the Finding Common Ground committee of Indivisible ADK/Saratoga and moderated by Linda McKenney of the League of Women Voters. Five panelists took part: Heidi West, Francine Vero, Tim Coll, Lindsey Gonzalez, and Todd Shimkus.

During the same period, RISE launched the Homebase Clubhouse on Union Street in Saratoga Springs. CBS6 Albany reported that the clubhouse offers adults with mental health challenges a place to connect, access resources, and build life skills. CBS6 said it is the first of seven new clubhouse programs opening in New York state through the Office of Mental Health, and that Congressman Paul Tonko, who represents New York’s 21st District, highlighted the initiative. CBS6 described the 24/7 low-barrier shelter as set to close in less than two months.

Hoodline reported, citing The Daily Gazette, that approximately five people staying at the shelter did not yet have a plan for where they would go after it closed (Matthew 25:35).