Assembly votes 52-27 for final approval!
Bill goes to Governor Corzine for signature!
A3101 was originally sponsored by Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Primary Sponsors
Nilsa Cruz-Perez
Mila M. Jasey
Elease Evans
Reed Gusciora
Nellie PouCo-Sponsors
Annette Quijano
Shelia Y. Oliver
Connie Wagner
Valarie Vainieri Huttle
Upendra J. Chivukula
Joseph Cryan
Caridad RodriguezThe prime Senate sponsors of S2354 are:
The cosponsors of S2354 are:
Robert W. Singer
Barbara Buono
Joseph F. Vitale
Ronald L. Rice
Bob Smith
James Beach
M. Teresa Ruiz
Sandra B. Cunningham
Governor Jon Corzine announcing the establishment of the Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness.
After two and one-half years, the legislative phase of the campaign to create County Homeless Trust Funds has come to an end. On Thursday June 25, 2009, the New Jersey Assembly approved A3101 by a vote of 52-27. This is the final legislative action required! The bill now takes the usual course of approved bills and is sent to Governor Corzine for signature.
The County Homeless Trust Funds will allow counties that have developed plans to end homelessness to have a recurring source of funding that would be dedicated to achieving their goals. The funds must be used for programs that not only are consistent with local plans but also measurably reduce homelessness while demonstrating cost savings over time. By focusing the trust funds on proven strategies, this initiative will play a crucial role in helping to shift the current homeless delivery system from one that manages homelessness to one that will end homelessness.
County Homeless Trust Funds, will help thousands of families and individuals in New Jersey move into permanent housing. By providing a healthier, more stable living environment, homelessness programs can reduce public costs to hospitals, emergency rooms, law enforcement and foster care systems.
Despite the merits of the bill, over the last two and one-half years, there were many times when it seemed impossible that we would ever have an approved bill. Between drafting the bill and finding sponsors the thought of having a bill approved and waiting for the Governor’s signature seemed like an impossible dream. The New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness responded to each road block by redoubling our efforts to secure passage.
But today the bill has been approved after receiving a total of seventy-nine votes out of the one hundred fifteen cast in roll call votes in both the Senate and Assembly. This broad based support from both parties provides a solid foundation not only for this piece of legislation but also for future legislative efforts to end homelessness.
Senator Dana L. Redd and Senator Brian Stack, the prime sponsors of S2354.
Sponsorship and voting for efforts to end homelessness will no longer be an impediment to bills necessary to end homelessness.
Now we look forward to the Governor signing the legislation and working with local counties to establish their Homeless Trust Funds.
Resources
To view the Senate’s Roll Call vote from June 18, 2009, click here.
To view the Assembly’s Roll Call vote from October 27, 2008, click here.
To read the final version of the bill click here.
To read the statement on the bill prepared by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee click here.
To view a list of those who have endorsed this campaign click here.
For a fact sheet click here or for a description of possible uses and populations to be served click here.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found by clicking here.
