By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The best way to avoid homelessness is to have affordable housing available, a state official told people attending a meeting on homeless housing options earlier this week at the John J. Ash Center.
In what could become a recommendation from the Olean Homelessness Task Force, a state representative made a presentation Tuesday on available housing options.
Mayor Bill Aiello, who appointed the Olean Homelessness Task Force last year, introduced Sarah Watson, assistant director of the Bureau of Housing for the State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance. She spoke to representatives of groups on the task force about some options that are available.
First, Watson said Cattaraugus County’s rate of homelessness is lower than many comparable counties, about 9 per 10,000.
Watson showed data on Cattaraugus County’s January PIT (Point in Time) count that showed 68 homeless — 21 in hotels or motels, 35 in emergency shelters, 8 in a code blue warming center, 1 in a domestic violence shelter and 3 unsheltered.
The more recent Nov. 1, 2025 count showed 92 homeless individuals — 42 in hotels and motels, 41 in emergency shelters, 9 in domestic violence shelters and an unknown number of unsheltered people.
The January PIT found 158,019 homeless people across the state — a rate of 81 per 10,000 people. Homeless people utilize temporary shelter, transitional housing and places not meant for habitation like an abandoned building, Watson said.
Cattaraugus County responds to Homelessness through a variety of government and volunteer organizations including the Department of Social Services, Community Action and Genesis House.
Together, last year they served 371 households across the county with 467 family members. The average number of days they were homeless was 55. For 74% of the people it was their first experience being homeless, Watson said.
The question for communities is how to create housing that’s affordable?
Housing where people pay up to 30% of their income goes a long way toward addressing homelessness, but there is also supportive housing for at risk people with addictions or mental health issues.
Watson said, “If we have housing dependent on income, they won’t become homeless. State rental subsidies are available to pay the difference for eligible individuals and families.
If considering a site for new construction or rehabilitation for affordable or supportive housing, the location is important in terms of being near services including transportation, Watson said.
She said that 57 affordable housing units and 41 supportive units from Olean are currently in the application process with her office waiting for funding.
