Recommendations to move to a NJ policy focused on “ending homelessness”

1. Establish a uniform screening and assessment tool for those who are homeless and at-risk of becoming homeless.

An “ending homelessness” system needs to start with the concept of screening and assessing for need and providing interventions appropriate to the assessed level of need. This screening tool will serve as the “front door” of the homeless system for both individuals and families. With screening and assessment in place, appropriate plans can be made for short-term shelter and rapid movement to permanent housing.

We recommend the development and implementation of a uniform state-wide screening and assessment process.

2. Align State’s prevention resources with goal of ending homelessness.

National thinking on preventing homelessness focuses on a systemic response that provides more intensive services to those who are most likely to become homeless. This starts with a process to identify individuals and families most at-risk in each community.

We recommend that the State align its policies with this Federal direction.

3. Sustain shelter capacity, while the new system is instituted.

Since circumstances will inevitably arise in individuals’ and families’ lives that cause them to lose their homes, a responsive housing safety net must be available.

While a new system is evolving, we ask the State to commit to fund shelter capacity to meet emergency demand.

4. Prioritize housing vouchers and services for the chronically homeless individuals and families -- those with the highest assessed needs.

Housing vouchers are essential to end homelessness. Those who have been chronically homeless cost the system the most money in emergency medical, jail, court, shelter, transitional housing and other related costs. Ending chronic homelessness will free up resources for other needy families and individuals.

We recommend that the State homelessness policy prioritize housing vouchers for the chronically homeless, looking at all available sources. We recommend that the State also develop a stable funding source for services for this population.

5. Restructure the State’s Emergency Assistance program as funding mechanism for services.

The majority of funding for homeless services currently comes through the State’s Emergency Assistance program, which funds emergency shelters and transitional housing for individuals and families receiving welfare (General Assistance and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)

The best practice of Rapid Rehousing requires both vouchers and services. We recommend that the State restructure its Emergency Assistance program to couple temporary rental assistance with community-based case management to fund Rapid Rehousing. This is a cost-effective alternative to funding shelters and transitional housing and will also contribute to ending homelessness.

6. Develop a best-practice model to address the needs of those assessed with low and moderate barriers.

Ending homelessness for those with low-to-moderate barriers requires a new strategy that has not yet coalesced as a national best-practice model. The largest number of people who are homeless in New Jersey fall into this category. Moving these people quickly out of homelessness will require creative use of mainstream services, with a focus on short-term housing subsidy and employment.

We recommend that New Jersey take the lead in developing and funding a best-practice model for this population.

7. Target affordable housing resources to those with the lowest incomes and the greatest need.

Affordable housing for the lowest income population is an essential strategy for ending homelessness. We recommend the adoption of a State Housing plan that will create a policy for targeting permanent housing resources to those with the lowest income and with special needs. We note, in particular, the importance of new Federal resources for capital and rental in the National Housing Trust Fund and the need to recapitalize the State’s Special Needs Housing Trust Fund.