07/11/2026
Opinion | We can’t solve a crisis we refuse to acknowledge.
The heartbreaking fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell, which claimed the lives of three young children and three adults, has shaken our community. It has also reignited an important conversation about homelessness, emergency housing, and what has been happening across the Southern Tier for years.
As someone who works in grant writing and community development, I spend a lot of time looking at data before looking at solutions. The numbers tell a story that deserves our attention.
The NY-511 Continuum of Care, which serves Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga Counties, has experienced a dramatic rise in homelessness since the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 2020 to 2025:
• The total number of people experiencing homelessness increased from 317 to 1,080—an increase of more than 240%.
• The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness rose from 16 to 91, nearly a 470% increase.
• Adults experiencing homelessness with a serious mental illness increased from 98 to 253.
• Adults experiencing homelessness with a substance use disorder nearly doubled, increasing from 105 to 209.
These aren’t just statistics. They represent families, veterans, young adults aging out of foster care, individuals living with untreated mental illness, people struggling with addiction, and children who simply need a safe place to sleep.
The debate over homelessness often becomes polarized. Some argue for more enforcement. Others argue for more housing. The reality is that effective communities do both: they invest in prevention, behavioral health services, emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, workforce development, and accountability.
Data alone won’t solve this crisis. But without looking at the facts, we risk making decisions based on assumptions.
The numbers are telling us something.
We are, indeed, experiencing a housing crisis.
The question is whether we’re willing to listen.
Sincerely,
Mari
