ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A Tompkins County lawmaker is defending efforts made to improve this year’s Code Blue shelter.

On November 18, amid outdoor protests that could be heard in Chambers during a full meeting of the Legislature, Chair Dan Klein addressed would-be critics of the emergency cold-weather shelter, highlighting what’s new this winter.

There is an additional small room in the shelter, which is double the size of last year’s shelter overall, to provide extra space for any situation in which more privacy is needed.

Klein adds the county is making a larger investment in Code Blue this year, and with the help of service provider Volunteers of America (VOA) of Upstate New York and other community partners, more is being offered to assist those in need.

Also new this year, dogs will be accommodated when possible. Last year, some clients had to choose between shelter, or giving up their companion animal due to liability issues.

“Dogs require an extra level of infrastructure and cost and raise potential issues about safety of guest and staff, flea infestations, and diseases such as rabies and parvovirus,” said Klein. “If the shelter becomes infested with fleas, the entire shelter must be shut down for six days to clear the infestation.”

Municipal Code Blue shelter providers in New York are only required to furnish a warm space on nights where the temperature dips below freezing. Klein feels the county and its parters have gone above and beyond in a short period of time.

“It does not even require that we provide sleeping space,” added Klein.

The Code Blue Shelter, located in the former Found in Ithaca Antique shop at 227 Cherry Street, opened on November 24. Tompkins County purchased the 1-acre, West End parcel in 2024 for the future development of a dedicated, year-round shelter.

The full November 18, 2025, Tompkins County Legislature meeting is available here. You can listen to Legislative Chair Dan Klein’s full statement on Code Blue below.