Mayor Kim Ecklund told The Post-Journal recently that the state of emergency over the summer underscored the urgent need to address the escalating homelessness crisis that has significantly strained city resources, with the total amount to date spent by the city to clean up illegal encampments reaching $124,576.57. Ecklund said city staff continue to spend time on the homeless issue.

“If payroll costs were included, the financial burden would be even more staggering,” Ecklund said. “Despite submitting detailed invoices and a formal reimbursement request to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, the city has received no funding, response, or communication in return. Jamestown has not received any financial support, neither before or after declaring the State of Emergency, to address homelessness, a crisis that continues to place significant strain on our already limited resources. In the midst of ongoing financial challenges, the city cannot continue to absorb the escalating costs of addressing homelessness through temporary solutions.”

Without a long-term strategy that will tackle the root causes of homelessness, Ecklund said the city’s costs will only grow. She said the city can’t handle increased costs associated with the homeless year after year while noting multiple other municipalities across the state and nation are seeing similar crises. Ecklund said the overlapping challenges of mental health issues, substance abuse and lack of affordable housing are not isolated to Jamestown and are systemic problems that need systemic solutions.

“Our state and federal leaders must understand the significance of this nationwide crisis and act now,” Ecklund said. “The time for temporary fixes has passed; it is time for bold, coordinated action. While the city made strides this year in addressing gaps in communication, services, and outreach, these efforts alone will not resolve the crisis. Until the root causes are addressed — mental health, addiction, and housing insecurity — this cycle will persist. Our community and those experiencing homelessness deserve better. We need increased funding, resources, and targeted programs to break this cycle and build a future that offers safety, dignity, and stability for all. Our state and federal partners must step up and support all local governments in this critical fight.”

Located in one of the catacombs under a railroad track in Jamestown is a site that appears to be where a girl and her guardian took refuge in 2023. A makeshift bed was made and was surrounded by toys like a My Little Pony doll, puzzles and food. A set of pants is reported to be new and appeared to be hung to dry. P-J file photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Reopening a code blue shelter this winter helps, Ecklund said. Recovery Options Made Easy is operating the shelter at 917 Washington St., Jamestown. It is open on Code Blue designated nights through April 30 and provides services to people experiencing homelessness during the winter, including a warm and secure place to sleep while also connecting individuals to services that promote long-term stability. Ecklund said the city encourages those in need to make use of it, also thanking community partners for their help in supporting them.

EFFECT ON NEIGHBORHOODS

Congregations of homeless in Brooklyn Square have caught people’s attention over the past few years, but Ecklund said the challenges are seen more acutely in many city neighborhoods.

“No neighborhood in Jamestown has been immune to the challenges of homelessness,” Ecklund said. “This past summer, the Riverwalk drew significant public attention and resources as a focal point of concern. However, other areas, including residential neighborhoods near Ransom Alley, have also been profoundly affected, underscoring the widespread and multifaceted nature of this crisis.”

Additionally, the issue has extended beyond the visible encampments to dangerous and life-threatening incidents, including fires ignited in abandoned homes by individuals seeking shelter from the cold, which Ecklund said jeopardizes the safety of those involved, neighboring residents and first responders.

Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund is pictured during a City Council work session. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

“Our code enforcement officers and fire department have worked diligently to mitigate these risks by repeatedly securing condemned properties,” Ecklund said. “Despite their efforts, these measures are often undone by continued break-ins, creating a labor intensive cycle that strains city resources and personnel.”

Currently, the city is dealing with more than 900 open code enforcement cases, many of which involve condemned properties that Ecklund said threaten public safety and diminish community well-being, often also becoming hotspots for illegal activities and unsafe conditions. Holding property owners accountable for these “zombie” properties is something that Ecklund said remains a significant hurdle for the city due to absentee landlords, unresponsive entities, and complex ownership issues such as probate disputes, foreclosures, or shell corporations. “Addressing these cases often requires lengthy and resource intensive legal processes,” Ecklund said. “The city is committed to addressing these challenges head-on and continues to explore innovative solutions. Recognizing that these issues are not unique to Jamestown, the city in partnership with the New York Conference of Mayors is advocating for statewide changes to strengthen local enforcement tools and provide much-needed resources.”

Current key legislative priorities for the city include:

– Establishing Administrative Adjudication for Code Violations — supporting legislation to authorize municipalities to create administrative tribunals, expediting the enforcement process and reducing the strain on already overburdened courts

– Piercing the Corporate Veil — Advocating for amendments to state law that allow municipalities to hold parent companies and individual owners responsible for properties abandoned by shell corporations. These changes would enable local governments to recover costs associated with nuisance abatement and demolition that exceed the post-remediation value of the property

– Enhancing Corporate Accountability — Proposing that corporations, LLCs, and LLPs be required to annually register their business addresses with the state Secretary of State, making it easier for municipalities to enforce building and zoning codes, and additionally, supporting the authorization of a vacant property tax on these entities to help offset the significant costs associated with managing and addressing vacant properties

– Securing RESTORE Funding — Calling for the continuation of state grant programs that provide funding for the demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of vacant and condemned properties,

– Improving New York’s Zombie Properties Law — Advocating for expanded municipal access to the state database of abandoned properties, including contact information for lenders and mortgage service providers, to ensure better enforcement of maintenance requirements for mortgage delinquent abandoned properties.

The city and NYCOM are also looking for amendments to the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code to streamline enforcement.

“These changes include creating a ‘violation’ category for code infractions, removing the requirement to issue a notice of violation before pursuing enforcement in criminal court, and increasing state support for training and resources for code enforcement officers,” Ecklund said. “Enhanced support would empower (code enforcement officers) to navigate the legal complexities of civil and criminal cases more effectively, ensuring that code violators are held accountable. By pursuing these legislative and policy changes, the City of Jamestown aims to address condemned and abandoned properties more effectively. Working in collaboration with the state and other municipalities, Jamestown is committed to fostering safer neighborhoods and a more vibrant community for all residents.”

FULTON STREET

Another focus for the city at the moment is Fulton Street, which has become a hotspot for illegal activity, which Ecklund said is largely due to having several vacant and condemned homes, which attract unsafe conditions and contribute to the community’s current challenges.

“Earlier this year, a fire broke out on Fulton Street, leading to the arrest of a homeless individual charged with arson,” Ecklund said. “Incidents like these highlight the critical need for swift and decisive action to address the risks associated with abandoned properties. The city of Jamestown has been actively working to tackle these housing issues on Fulton Street and in nearby areas.”

Ecklund added that there are several homes on Fulton Street slated for demolition this year, which she called a necessary step to eliminate structures that have been attracting illegal activity, and that by removing the properties the city looks to improve safety, reduce illegal activity, and create opportunities for revitalization in this neighborhood.

Multiple Fulton Street residents have come to recent City Council work and voting sessions, reporting to the council some of the issues that they have been seeing and dealing with over the past few months as these issues continue. Ecklund extended the city’s gratitude to them for taking the time to inform the city about what is going on.

“Their vigilance and dedication are essential to creating meaningful change,” Ecklund said. “It is through these partnerships between the city and its residents that we can effectively address challenges, enhance public safety, and foster stronger, more stable neighborhoods. Together, we can build a brighter future for Fulton Street and the entire Jamestown community.”

Continuing to address homelessness and the challenges posed by abandoned and condemned houses in the city is a united effort by both the city and its residents. Ecklund said, while the city continues to take proactive measures, community involvement remains a cornerstone of their strategy.

“We strongly encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity by calling the Non-Emergency Police Line,” Ecklund said. “Without calls for service or documented incidents, it becomes increasingly difficult to prioritize and address these issues effectively. Your participation is vital to preserving the safety, stability, and integrity of our neighborhoods. Together, we can make Jamestown a stronger, safer community for all.”