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Opportunities for Otsego Advocates for Homeless 

08.30.2024 - Oneonta

For thirty-six years of the agency’s 58-year tenure, Opportunities for Otsego has offered supportive services to homeless and at-risk households across Otsego County. Over this time, the agency has struggled alongside families to fully address housing needs considering dwindling resources and compounding community conditions that foster housing instability.

Opportunities for Otsego operates two emergency shelters: Opportunity House, which transitioned to family-only in August 2023; and the Violence Intervention Program safe house. Combined, these shelters have the capacity to house 27 individuals nightly: a quarter of Otsego County’s homeless population per HUD estimates.

Through partnerships with CARES of NY; HUD; the Department of Justice; and local housing organizations and groups, Opportunities for Otsego advocates on behalf of homeless and at-risk households so they may secure safe, affordable housing and realize housing stability.

Tanya Shalor, Opportunities for Otsego CEO, “We are appreciative of our current partnerships in addressing homelessness and welcome the opportunity to further forge relationships with landlords, the City of Oneonta and County leaders to address community conditions that perpetuate the housing crisis across our area.”

Community members, organizations, and businesses interested in supporting Opportunities for Otsego’s homeless shelters may donate online. NBT Insurance Agency is helping to kickstart this fundraising campaign with a contribution of $5,000.

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