Albany County Executive Dan McCoy says he’s issuing an executive order to make resources more readily available ahead of an expected arrival of migrants to the area.
McCoy says a location has been identified in Albany to house those seeking shelter. He says the executive order is being issued while local and state leaders wait for the federal government to answer calls for help.
McCoy says he’s working with the Monroe County executive, appropriate agencies and hotels to ensure the county is in a position to receive migrants.
“These Orders provide an avenue to allow resources to be allocated toward a collaborated and coordinated solution,” McCoy said in a statement. “Further, these Orders ensure that our residents have information and notice of what is happening relating to migrants entering our communities and also provides assurances that require a deliberate plan capable of execution.”
Ahead of migrants’ arrival, approximately 250 families are in area shelters, McCoy said, and he added that preparation is key to addressing the situation, a shortage of shelters for the homeless and the ongoing mental health crisis.
Meanwhile, Warren County has declared a state of emergency in the midst of the migrant issue. Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty made the declaration Tuesday, saying “… a rapid increase of individuals in need of social services, public health assistance and other services provided by our county, city and town agencies has the potential to create significant problems for Warren County and municipalities across the county without proper planning and funding.”
The declaration requires that hotel, campground, short-term rental and multiple-room dwelling owners must receive permission from the Warren County Board of Supervisors before housing migrants.