Dutchess County Legislature Meeting

Stand up for the City of Poughkeepsie and advocate for Dutchess County towns and municipalities to share support around housing options for those who are unhoused.

Background…

City of Poughkeepsie, NY – May 6, 2025 – The City of Poughkeepsie Common Council will enter into closed executive session during its Tuesday, May 6th meeting to discuss possible legal action aimed at stopping a Dutchess County plan to construct a 120-bed homeless shelter along Oakley Street.

The Council will discuss whether the City should commence an action as well as immediately file for an injunction to stop the project after County Executive Susan Serino reportedly informed City Mayor Yvonne Flowers on Friday, May 2 that the county doesn’t plan to sign an agreement that had been hammered out between the two municipal governments over the last several months that would have seen services provided at the facility for single women and families experiencing homelessness as well as limiting similar county facilities from being located within the city’s boundaries for the next 40 years.

Mayor Flowers stated that the county’s apparent unwillingness to compromise regarding the shelter plan, despite years of negotiations on the subject, left her and the city little choice but to explore pursuing legal action. After being informed of the County Executive’s position on the matter by Mayor Flowers, Common Council Chair and Councilmember at Large Da’Ron Wilson decided to place the executive session to discuss possible legal action on the agenda for the next Council meeting on May 6 in the city’s Common Council Chambers.

“The City of Poughkeepsie and particularly the 5th Ward in the city’s North Side has borne more than its fair share of burdensome county facilities, such as the Dutchess County Jail, which tend to stunt growth and economic development,” said Mr. Wilson. “Despite that, the city was open to compromise and entered into meaningful negotiations with the County designed to mitigate the impact of this facility and make it more acceptable to all. The Mayor was informed on Friday that the County would no longer consider reasonable compromise on the issue.”

Mayor Flowers, who will take a short leave of absence starting on Monday, May 5 to have necessary surgery, said she would await the Council’s decision and plan a course of action upon her return to regular duties later in the month. In her absence, City Administrator Joseph Donat will serve as acting mayor.