CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N.Y. — In an effort to address the rising housing insecurity and homelessness in the community, the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services is launching a new Public Assistance Shelter Supplement initiative (PASS).
PASS is designed with the hopes that it can better support families, single adults, and childless couples who are struggling with housing costs. It will bridge the gap between public assistance shelter allowances and real world rental rates.
“As housing costs continue to rise, far too many of our residents—especially families with children—have found themselves without stable housing,” said Carmelo Hernandez, Commissioner of Social Services. “This new program allows us to offer practical, long-term solutions that not only reduce the cost of emergency shelter placements but improve quality of life for our community’s most vulnerable.”…