Senator Bill Larkin will carry State legislation to transfer
67 Wurts Street, Kingston NY to Ulster County.
Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announced today that Senator Bill Larkin will be sponsoring a bill at the County’s request, which will authorize the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to transfer a State-owned home at 67 Wurts Street in Kingston, NY to Ulster County. This property, which was formally used as a group home for people with developmental disabilities, will be repurposed to provide transitional housing for Ulster County’s veterans.
After proudly serving their Country, Veterans are faced with many challenges and obstacles upon return to civilian life. As a result, some Veterans are ending up homeless and in need of assistance. This bill would support the County of Ulster’s efforts to assist homeless Veterans by providing a location within the County to provide high quality transitional housing as well as immediate access to support services.
“I want to thank Senator Larkin for sponsoring this legislation,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “As a tireless advocate for Veterans, Senator Larkin fully understands the struggles of our current Veteran population. We look forward to working with our other State representatives in both the Senate and the Assembly to move this legislation forward. It is my great hope that there will be unanimous bi-partisan agreement in both the Assembly and the Senate to pass this critical piece of legislation.”
County Executive Hein continued, “Ulster County’s Veterans have sacrificed in order to protect our freedoms and liberty. Most recently, many young men and women have returned from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan and some have had great difficulty adapting to civilian life. We owe our Veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service and this legislation will afford Ulster County the ability to provide them the level of service they deserve.”
New York State Senator Bill Larkin said, “It is my privilege to sponsor this legislation. I can think of no group more deserving of this support and I look forward to making this proposal a reality in order to assist our local Veterans for many years to come."
City of Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo said, “I want to thank Senator Larkin for sponsoring this legislation. This initiative is another great example of what can happen when all levels of government collaborate and work together. Supporting our Veterans is a noble endeavor and I am extremely proud to be a part of forwarding this important initiative to support those who have given so much for our Country.”
Ulster County Legislator Wayne Harris said, “The Veterans’ transitional housing will be a great resource to our returning Veterans. My only wish is that there was more we could do to assist these fine men and women as they return home.” Ulster County Legislator Dave Donaldson said, “I am very happy with the County Executive’s proposal for Veterans’ transitional housing. This location is a great fit for the City of Kingston and it will be an outstanding resource for Veterans in need.”
“Ulster County Director of Veterans Services and United States Naval Captain said, “The transition from military life to civilian life can sometimes be difficult. A Single location where our Veterans can live with their peers and have direct access to services is a tremendous asset for our Veterans. On behalf on all Ulster County Veterans I commend the County Executive for his leadership on this issue. Veteran homelessness in Ulster County is not always visible, but it exists and this initiative will help reach them.”
The 67 Wurts Street location is in close proximity to other government services, amenities, and public transportation. The property was previously used by Ulster-Greene ARC. It was removed from the tax rolls at that time and stands directly across from Thomas Cornell Park, which is home to an existing Veterans’ Memorial. The transfer to Ulster County will be for $1.
Below: Photograph of 67 Wurts Street, Kingston N.Y.
