22-04-2025
Binghamton YMCA turning old pool into emergency housing
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – Since closing the pool at the Binghamton YMCA in November, the organization is turning that space into extra beds for the homeless.
The YMCA Residence Program provides 87 single bedrooms to homeless and at-risk men.
The Binghamton Y says less than one percent of its membership utilized the Binghamton pool, which is why they're turning it into additional emergency housing.
The executive director of the Binghamton Y, Gareth Sansom was the guest speaker at the Binghamton Noon Rotary Club today and says along with more beds, they're hoping to build a gym and office space to bring in local services.
Sansom says it will take about two years before they break ground and estimate the project to cost $26 million.
'That space will allows us to provide over 10,000 nights of safe care for homeless men when we utilize that space. Housing will be what we predominantly use the downtown space for. And at this point, we're estimating between additional emergency beds, what we currently offer, and the expansion, that we should be able to provide about a hundred and seventy beds every single night of safe care for homeless men in Broome County,' says Gareth Sansom.
Sansom says they're changing the Johnson City branch to be more family oriented, including the new discovery den, walking paths, skate park, and more.
He hopes to add an additional 10-15 emergency beds during the summertime.
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