Shelters of Saratoga celebrate new and expanded housing

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (News10) — The number of those experiencing homelessness surged to 138% in Saratoga, Warren, Washington and Hamilton County area between 2022 and 2024, but the Shelters of Saratoga are taking steps that will allow them to aid more of those affected.

Politicians, business leaders, and community members showed their support for the much-anticipated new and expanded housing at the Shelters of Saratoga.

“Everybody in the 44 senatorial district, in the city of Saratoga, in the county, in the entire state, in our nation has to have a home, because it’s such an important part of your life,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

The shelters offer 31 emergency housing units, including nine that offer supportive housing, meeting the needs of those with disabilities and allowing residents to access a variety of resources.

“It has been five years in the making, and we finally have the programs that the folks that we serve, the homeless individuals in our communities deserve,” said Shelters of Saratoga Executive Director Duane Vaughn at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. “To be shown dignity and to have a facility that they are proud of, and to have that first start to get back on their feet is so critically important.”

One of the shelter residents, Skyler Therrault, affirmed this message.

“I’ve slept under bridges, in churches, on benches, in parks, in the woods. I’ve been there, I’ve done it all,” he said.

Therrault has experienced homelessness since 2019 and struggled with money and drug addiction. Now sober, this is his first time in a shelter. He said it took some getting used to, but, “as you start getting into the motion of it, you start to get into the groove, and they help push you toward the goals you want to meet like finding an apartment, getting a job, mental health appointments, medical appointments. They help a lot. I’ve never been this healthy before. It’s a new change. Everybody likes it.”

He said the residents have also been taken on trips to the beach, national parks and other fun excursions that hadn’t expected. They’re also learning the trades and how to cook.

He’s now working on goals that he feels will improve his future employment opportunities.

“I’d like to actually get my GED and high school diploma because I would like to actually be able to get a better job than a fast food dishwasher job. So I would like to actually improve my life. Maybe go to college I’m not sure yet, but I’d like to take those steps to finishing my education, too.”