UTICA — In an effort to combat homelessness in the city, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri announced the reallocation of federal funding to help fund efforts by both the Salvation Army and the Rescue Mission of Utica to provide help for the city’s homeless.

“We all understand the importance of the homeless and we see it day in and day out," Palmieri said. "So we have to bridge that gap, you can’t close your eyes to the reality that it’s there.”

“We feel it’s important, not only to give the tools that are needed for some of these individuals to get them back on their feet, but we want to go to the next step and the next step is making them be part of our city,” the mayor added.

According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, more than 92,000 people were homeless during 2020, up about 1.1% over the previous year.

According to state figures, there are approximately 170 people each day who experience homelessness in Oneida County. Recent studies estimate that, on average, 130 people in the city of Utica are homeless and are sheltered daily.

The city was awarded $1,230,055 through the CARES Act to help address homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic and established a contract with People First, formerly the Utica Municipal Housing Authority, to implement a drop-in center at both the Salvation Army and the Rescue Mission of Utica.

The drop-in centers have been providing the city’s homeless with resources and a place to visit during the day for the past six months.

Due to the success of the drop-in centers, the mayor has reauthorized the continuation of the drop-in center programs through a second contract extension.

The city will utilize funds from the Community Development Block Grant through the CARES Act to hire individuals who visit the drop-in centers and provide jobs for those struggling with homelessness to help with the maintenance of the city’s parks and playgrounds, according to officials.

“Mayor Palmieri’s commitment is an acknowledgment of our collective responsibility to address the needs of the vulnerable within our community,” said People First Executive Director Robert Calli. “People First welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the city, the Salvation Army and the Rescue Mission on this worthy humanitarian initiative.”