While a Falconer motel has been a source of controversy for the number of people getting temporary housing there, records from the county show it isn’t the only motel.

The Post-Journal filed a Freedom Of Information Request with the county’s Mental Hygiene and Social Services departments to see how much money has been spent at the Budget Inn in Falconer, compared to other locations in the county for temporary housing.

In 2022, the county spent $1,362,639 in temporary housing, not including Code Blue housing, which is used when temperatures drop below freezing in the winter. Of the $1.362 million, $290,112 was spent at the Budget Inn.

The $1.362 million is more than double what the county spent the year before.

In 2021, the county spent $636,022 in temporary housing, with $222,438 at the Budget Inn. In 2020, the county spent $582,737 in temporary housing, with $205,475 at the Budget Inn. In 2019, the county spent $494,555 in temporary housing, with $167,438 at the Budget Inn.

In 2018, the cost for temporary housing was much higher. That year, the county spent $1,139,839, with $230,527 at the Budget Inn.

However, in 2018 the code blue funds were minimal. That year, the county spent $455 for code blue housing, with nothing at Budget Inn.

In 2019, the code blue spending countywide was $53,885, with $13,395 spent at the Budget Inn. In 2020, county code blue spending was $70,200 with $34,125 at the Budget Inn In 2021, code blue spending was $89,295 countywide, with $34,125 at the Budget Inn. In 2022, code blue spending was $50,980 countywide, with $28,090 at the Budget Inn.

Chautauqua County issues a Code Blue Warning when temperatures and wind chills are below 32 degrees. It requires shelter access to anyone in need of assistance.

Combining code blue and temporary housing, Chautauqua County has spent more at the Budget Inn in 2022 in dollar amounts than the four previous years; however percentage-wise, the county is actually spending less.

In 2022, the Budget Inn received $318,202 from the county for code blue and temporary housing, which was 22.5% of the county’s overall spending. In 2021, the Budget Inn received $248,538 from the county, which was 34.3% of the county’s overall spending.

In 2020, the Budget Inn received $239,600, which was 36.6% of the county’s code blue and temporary housing. In 2019, the Budget Inn received $180,833 which was 32.9% of the county’s overall spending.

In 2018, the Budget Inn received $230,527, which was 20.2% of the county’s overall spending on code blue and temporary housing.

The FOIL request did not specify what other establishments were receiving code blue and temporary housing funds. During county committee meetings last week, the Clarion Pointe and the Colony, both in the town of Ellicott, as well as the Dunkirk Motel, were named at other establishments that are used by the county for code blue and temporary housing needs.