Cape Hope Puzzled by Homeless Denial

COLD SPRING – Cape Hope members are frustrated. Why are some municipalities unwilling to admit that they have homeless persons in their community? Are they in denial? Why is county government making promises about finally creating a homeless shelter in Cape May County while dragging its feet on specific action? 
These were some of the sentiments expressed at a recent meeting of Cape Hope, a faith-based homeless outreach group that was formed in 2015 as a New Jersey non-profit homeless advocate in Cape May County.
According to Assistant Director Marty Montgomery, Cape Hope exists to try to catch those homeless people who “fall through the cracks” that exist in the social services system.
“We try to build transitional housing for the homeless, but we seem to be getting nowhere because of a lack of funding,” Montgomery explained. He referred to a permanent county homeless shelter.
Communications Committee chair Barbara Collins also lamented the lack of communication with freeholders. “It saddens me to see that this group is getting no support” (from the freeholders),” she said.
Other members expressed frustration with seasonal employers, like some amusement park owners who allegedly pay workers below minimum wage as part-time employees, and then lay them off a week before the 20-week threshold that would make them eligible for unemployment benefits.
There is no chance for economic stability under such circumstances, noted Kit Marlowe. 
Director Denise Venturini South added, “For us to help, homeless clients must find employment so that we can provide emergency shelter, but the seasonal employment issue makes this extremely difficult.”
Montgomery noted the lack of public awareness about the existence of homeless in their communities. He cited Wildwood’s mayor denied the existence of homeless persons in his community. Montgomery noted that he had personally conducted intake interviews with several Wildwood homeless residents very recently. Donna, a new volunteer, and teacher who offered to help organize a daycare center in any future shelter facility, acknowledged that she was from Ocean City and was not aware of any homeless population in that city. Subsequently, she learned that Ocean City has one of the largest homeless populations in the county.
Marlowe spoke about the need for transitional housing for homeless residents who need a physical hub where they can be taught skills that could help them achieve “economic sustainability.”
He envisioned a building like the vacant Chapin House, a former assisted-living complex in Rio Grande. It would be an excellent site to provide not just short-term assistance, but to serve as a central location where life skills like learning to cook, clean, and maintain their own housing units could ensure economic sustainability after they leave the center.
According to Marlowe, the county government has not provided strong support for any county shelter. Cape Hope sees that Rio Grande site as a viable answer to the issue of Cape May County finally getting a shelter, but the financial challenges to acquire and maintain the site are beyond Cape Hope’s capability.
Cape Hope works closely with other agencies and organizations such as Family Promise and Cape Assist.
“We make referrals to them, and they do the same when warranted” Venturini-South added. For information about fundraising or volunteering, visit www.capehopecares.org. 
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.