State Policy - Adopted January, 2010

Homelessness represents a tremendous cost to New Jersey, both in the cost to people’s lives and the cost to the public in lost productivity and direct costs paid for shelter, police, jails, courts and emergency services. On January 28, 2009 there were 12,035 homeless men, women and children counted across the state of New Jersey, according to the official U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) McKinney-Vento Act definition of homelessness. As in years past, the largest portion of those who were homeless in 2009 on the night of the count had been homeless for more than one year (36%). For those who were homeless less than one year, over 25% had been homeless at least one other time within the past twelve months. The next largest group were those homeless for six to twelve months (19%), followed by those who were homeless three to six months (16%).

As this time line indicates, New Jersey currently manages homelessness for long periods, but New Jersey has not been focused on ending homelessness quickly. Ending homelessness can be accomplished, but it requires a systemic approach led by the State, which currently funds the lion share of the burden. Ending homelessness requires:

1. a mechanism for screening and assessing need
2. a robust program to prevent homelessness
3. permanent housing & various levels of supportive services tied to consumer need
4. housing affordable to those with very-low income.

This approach represents a major shift from a system of homeless services that puts people first into emergency shelters, then transitional housing and only after a long wait, if ever, into permanent homes.

Our policy approach, initiated by HUD in the Federal government, is based on successful national models that target prevention resources to those who need them most, combine permanent housing with supportive services and move people rapidly from shelter into homes. New Jersey’s strategy to end homelessness needs to be based on implementing these best practices statewide. They are not only more humane; they are also more cost effective than our State’s current practice of managing homelessness.