We’ve been critical of the lack of progress on transitional housing programs for the homeless in Chautauqua County in recent weeks.

Transitional housing is still moving too slowly for our liking, but it’s good to see the county beginning to push for increased services in the north county. Jamestown’s homeless population exploded over the past few years, but the issue is becoming more pronounced in the north county too.

We have to give credit where it’s due. And it’s good to see the county is working to find a Code Blue site for the north county similar to the ROME shelter on Washington Street in Jamestown. After the winter that we’ve had, it became clear that a site was needed in the Dunkirk area. Carmelo Hernandez, county social services commissioner, said hotel and motel rooms in the north county are kept available for those who need shelter when temperatures and conditions create Code Blue conditions, but a permanent shelter would be a less expensive option and provide better services.

There has been interest in providers from Erie and Buffalo in working with the county to create both a Code Blue shelter in the north county and in creating emergency hours, Hernandez said, though sites that have been examined so far do have some logistical issues that need to be sorted out. With the Code Blue season coming to an end soon, this is work that we hope will bear fruit later this year.

Not all winters are going to be as harsh as the winter of 2025-26, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared for winters like this one either. County officials are doing that in the north county. It can be discouraging when it feels like we’re running in quicksand dealing with the homeless population while at the same time spending money hand over fist. The county’s work in Dunkirk is a sign of some progress.