NORWICH – Having seen an increasing number of families in need of rental assistance and temporary housing county-wide, the Chenango Housing Council is making strides toward a new shelter to be built in Norwich in order to meet the demands of a growing demographic.

The Chenango Housing Council (CHC), a coalition of local social service agencies assembled to address substandard housing and homelessness, is in the midst of a proposal to bring a transitional and permanent supportive housing facility to the Town of Norwich, just outside city limits.

Similar to a homeless shelter, the new facility would address emergency needs of homeless and at-risk families, but also provide intervention services and subsidized housing for those who qualify.

The CHC intends to submit a concept paper for the project to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance no later than April. If the concept flies, applications for funding may be made available after legislators approve a state budget.

Preliminary figures estimate the project will cost nearly $3.3 million for the acquisition of land and related cost, renovations, professional services, and other developmental costs.