Kingston clerics support proposal for Alms House

Dear Editor, As religious leaders in our community, we support the RUPCO Landmark Place proposal for the former Alms House.

In all of our spiritual traditions, care of the most vulnerable among us is understood to be the primary moral responsibility of any community. We know the urgent need for affordable housing in our community. On a regular basis, we sit with persons who are in search of good, low-cost housing, which is in short supply. We especially recognize the need for supportive housing for the elderly and persons with behavioral health issues and substance-use disorders. This project will provide not only safe affordable dwellings, but also on-site services to meet these vital needs.

At the April 16, 2018, public hearing before the city Planning Board, we heard many concerns about the cost to the community of providing this housing and these services. Several studies show that supportive housing, especially for people with the specific needs this project is designed to address, actually reduces total cost to the community by reducing the use of emergency services of various kinds, as well as reducing interactions with law enforcement and the courts. For examples of some of these studies, here are some links:

https://shnny.org/research/the-culhane-report/

https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/supportive_housing_initiatives.htm

http://www.csh.org/fusemap/fuse-research-evaluations/

At the public hearing, other concerns were also voiced:

• “The neighborhood is not easily walkable to stores and services.” RUPCO will provide transportation.

• “The sewer system will likely need upgrading.” The environmental review process found the sewer system to be quite adequate.

• “Income from property taxes would be higher if the ‘Alms House’ were re-purposed, for example, as a boutique hotel.” We believe that the need for affordable supportive housing is much greater than the need for another hotel in our community, and that compassion and care for our most vulnerable neighbors is of greater concern than maximizing income tax from this single property. We do need to talk about tax revenues to support vital services in our community. But the reality is that, in its 156year history, the Alms House has never generated tax revenues. Under the RUPCO proposal it will.

We support this project because it recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every member of our community and fulfills our shared human calling to care for the most vulnerable among us. The Rev. Renee House

Old Dutch Church On behalf of 18 co-signers of the Kingston Interfaith Council

Kingston, N.Y.