Sullivan County Takes First Step Toward Its First Homeless Shelter

After decades of advocacy and debate, Sullivan County may soon be getting a homeless shelter. The Sullivan County legislature authorized a letter of intent with St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Monticello to potentially purchase its old school building at an appraised value of $85,000. Dan Hust, Sullivan County’s Communications Director, said that the letter of intent is not legally binding. "It's just a letter of intent. It actually is not a binding sale or anything. Of course, this is still in the design phase, but I'd heard that it could be as many as 20 families or as many as 40 singles," Hust said. HONOR, the housing nonprofit who operates the shelter in Orange County, would run the facility. According to a report in the Sullivan County Democrat, Monticello Deputy Mayor John Barbarite criticized what he described as a pattern of Sullivan County moving forward with social service projects in the village without consulting local officials. At the July 15 village board meeting, he said he learned through media reports that St. Peter's Church and the county were exploring a homeless shelter at the former St. Peter's School, despite no one approaching the village first. Barbarite said similar situations have occurred with rehab centers, group homes, and a proposed methadone clinic, arguing the village bears the long-term impacts of these projects. Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek disputed the claim in an interview with the Democrat, saying the county has consistently involved village officials and noting the village previously rejected a proposal for transitional housing behind St. Peter's Church, prompting discussions about the former school building instead. Potosek said the county wants to maintain a positive partnership with the village and argued Monticello is the appropriate location for many social service programs because it is the county seat and home to the agencies and residents who need those services. He added the proposed shelter would serve local residents experiencing hardship. Sullivan County is the only county in the Catskills and Mid-Hudson Valley without a homeless shelter. Neighboring Delaware, Orange, and Ulster counties all have an emergency housing shelter. Sullivan County planned to apply for state funding in 2025 for the project but the housing program closed due to exhausted funds. Once the letter of intent is signed, Hust says it allows for a due diligence period. "We have to really assess the building, figure out a design, and make sure that all our I's are dotted and our T's crossed before we actually go ahead with the purchase. As everyone who knows who's ever been in a real estate transaction, it takes some time and effort," he said. Sullivan County currently uses several hotels and motels to house adults and children – which cost the county about $5.8 million in 2025. Image: St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Monticello, NY. It's former school building could become transitional housing in collaboration with Sullivan County Government. (Church of St. Peter).