Upstate NY Sullivan County Declares State of Emergency Due to Migrant Crisis

By Hamodia Staff

Sullivan County, located in upstate New York and a popular vacation area for New York City residents, has declared a state of emergency because they are currently experiencing a severe housing crisis, Joshua A. Potosek, the manager of Sullivan County said in a statement.

At least one bus of adult males arrived at the Knight Inn Hotel in Liberty in Sullivan County, Spectrum News reported. About 80 migrants are expected to be sent to Sullivan County.

“The County of Sullivan’s housing stock significantly limits its ability to provide temporary, permanent and emergency housing for the citizens of Sullivan County and the clients of Sullivan County’s local social services district,” the statement said. “The County of Sullivan is not capable of receiving clients from other local services districts, including New York City, and providing housing to those individuals.

New York City intended to send some of the migrants who arrived in the city to seek housing in the county, with the county expressing their fear that the situation threatens the public health and the public safety.

The state of emergency will remain in effect for thirty (30) days or until rescinded by a subsequent order.

Under the state of emergency, no municipality may make contracts with persons, businesses, or other entities including hotels, motels, or owners, within the County of Sullivan to house social services clients from another county for any length of time without the express consent of the County Manager.

“The county has a deal in place with the Knights Inn for 30 rooms,” Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Robert Doherty said in a statement. “Some quick calculations on how many people are coming, it looks like some people are going to be displaced. We’ll know more later.”