Ithaca · Local digest

Tompkins County saw a 13.8% decline in homelessness between 2024 and 2025, making it one of only seven regions statewide where unsheltered populations dropped, according to a New York State Comptroller's report. The county also has the second lowest number of homeless minors of all 24 Continuum of Care regions, though the report notes such point-in-time counts likely underestimate actual homelessness and don't capture recent evictions from Asteri Ithaca's supportive housing units. Local housing advocates emphasize that sustainable progress requires adequate funding for affordable and supportive housing programs, while citing HUD's shift away from "housing first" solutions as a federal barrier to continued progress. The source is Ithaca Voice.

New York state officials are moving forward on several long-delayed infrastructure projects affecting Ithaca, including dredging of Cayuga Inlet and replacing the aging, leaky Dryden Lake Dam in Dryden. City officials are making progress on a worker protections bill originally proposed in 2024, with a first draft expected within 90 days. A Black farmer and educator won a $100,000 civil rights settlement after years of harassment from a former neighbor. These updates come from Ithaca Voice's weekly Backstory podcast roundup.