Homeless Trust Fund

by Richard Brown on November 2, 2008

Assembly votes 52-27 for final approval!
Bill goes to Governor Corzine for signature!

was originally sponsored by Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Primary Sponsors

Nilsa Cruz-Perez
Mila M. Jasey
Elease Evans
Reed Gusciora
Nellie Pou

Co-Sponsors

Annette Quijano
Shelia Y. Oliver
Connie Wagner
Valarie Vainieri Huttle
Upendra J. Chivukula
Joseph Cryan
Caridad Rodriguez

The prime Senate sponsors of are:

Dana L. Redd
Brian Stack

The cosponsors of 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.

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 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.

Senator Dana L. Redd and Senator Brian Stack, the prime sponsors of S2354.

Senator Dana L. Redd and Senator Brian Stack, the prime sponsors of .

The Assembly version sponsored by Assembly members Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Mila M. Jasey, Elease Evans, Reed Gusciora and Nellie Pou along with seven co-sponsors will need to be approved again by the full Assembly.

For more information on the click here.

The companion bill , A3101, was approved, on Monday October 27, 2008, by the New Jersey Assembly approved on a roll call vote of 50-28-1. To view the roll call vote to see how your member of the Assembly voted click here.

This is the most significant step to date to create a dedicated source of funding for county-based trust funds to end homelessness. The County will allow counties that have developed plans to end homelessness to have a recurring source of funding that would be dedicated to . 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.

To read the full bill click here.

To read the statement attatched to click here.

We encourage you to listen to the testimony at the hearing. In the testimony we specifically recommend listening to the comments by Senators Buono, Redd and Stack. They all spoke eloquently of their commitment to .

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To view all of the photos click here.

How can a County Could Help End Homelessness?

County based Homeless Trust Funds would provide funding for the implementation of the locally developed Plans to End Homelessness.

Richard W. Brown, Senator Dana L. Redd, Alison Recca-Ryan, and Senator Brian Stack

Richard W. Brown, Senator Dana L. Redd, Alison Recca-Ryan, and Senator Brian Stack

Nine states across the country have helped localities dramatically reduce their homeless populations by enabling them to fund the implementation of local plans to end homelessness through local Trust Funds. In these states, this has resulted in a reduction of costs to the public sector and community. A recent example is the

The same results can and will happen in New Jersey.

The paths into homelessness are many, ranging from the onset of illness to natural disasters. It is experienced by veterans returning from war, people who have lost their jobs, people with disabilities who languish on the streets, and families who were evicted from their housing.

The path out of homelessness relies on programs funded by HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants and state funds. However, locally funded Homeless Trust Funds can leverage this scarce funding and insure success in . Supplemented by dedicated staff, volunteers, and resources from the private sector and local, state and federal governments, locally funded Homeless Trust Funds, could 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.

If you are interested in helping with the campaign we encourage you to read the sign on letter and have your organization become one of the leaders in this important campaign. 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.

To read our previous posts click here. For more information click here [Email address: rbrown #AT# njaneh.org - replace #AT# with @ ].

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