County Adopts 10-Year Plan To End Homelessness

CREST HAVEN – As Code Blue conditions were being issued recently, meaning homeless individuals can be housed in warm places for the night; Cape May County freeholders endorsed a resolution Dec. 13 entitled “Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.” 
Characterized by Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson, who oversees Human Services, as a first step, the 46-page document has its goal to eradicate the homeless problem by 2027. The action was taken in line with a state law known as the “County Homeless Trust Fund.” It mandates the adoption of a plan before a fund can be established.
Developed by the county Department of Human Services, the plan was created with input from various organizations and agencies as well as the Homeless Stakeholder Task Force.
The trust fund will “provide some additional funds, necessary to move homeless or formerly homeless individuals and families toward the goal of permanent affordable housing and self-sufficiency,” according to the resolution.
One facet to bolster that fund will be a $3 per document fee processed by the County Clerk’s Office. County Clerk Rita Fulginiti told the Herald she awaits authorization from the board to impose the fee. She said it might start Feb. 1.
As with such plans, the document contains facts and figures to support its goal.
Action Lauded
Denise Venturini, president of Cape Hope, a homeless advocacy group, attended the meeting and lauded the board’s action.
“The concern for those experiencing homelessness was brought to my attention exactly three years ago. The extent of homelessness in Cape May County is something that most are not aware of. Homeless citizens mainly live off the grid and under the radar in our communities.
“Sometimes they have little or no interaction with social services in the community and have little access to resources, including food, adequate clothing, and shelter.
“Much of the work to provide those necessities has been done by faith-based or other non-governmental organizations, such as The Branches, the Citizens and Veterans Advisory Council, and Cape Hope, along with the cooperation of groups like Voice for the Homeless and others.”
Venturini noted the board’s action made the county the 11th in the state to create a “Homeless Trust” to collect funds to help offset the costs of services to the homeless.
As Venturini cited the onset of the Code Blue season, she added, “In light of this momentous step forward; we must not give in to the temptation to think our work is done. We must not lessen our efforts toward giving even greater assistance to those in need.”
Statistics
In the 2016 Point in Time Count Report, a census of homeless persons, 133 persons in 81 households was recorded. “This is a decrease of 24 persons and 30 households from 2015,” according to the executive summary.
In 2016, to date, 115 homeless people started in emergency shelters; nine stayed in transitional housing, and nine lived unsheltered when the count was taken. The number of those counted who were in unsheltered locations increased by six over last year. Also, eight persons in seven households were identified as chronically homeless.
Of the 81 homeless households, 20 were families with at least one child under age 18 and one adult.
Such families were made up of 69 persons, with 44 children under age 18.
This year, the county recorded one more homeless family than in 2015.
Goals for the Decade
1. Prevention: Help at-risk persons with services and aiding them before they are homeless.
2. Supportive house and Housing First: Increase stable housing options by seeking funding and strategies to allow for additional housing models and or rental assistance programs.
3. Increased production: Increase availability of affordable housing in the county by working with community groups and municipalities to create affordable housing.
4. Economic stability: Develop programs designed to accompany housing efforts by assisting consumers to hike their incomes, find stable employment and access mainstream resources.
5. Public education and awareness: Raise the public’s awareness of the problem and the need for permanently affordable housing through a joint effort of government, private, non-profit agencies and community organizations, including faith-based.
Wages and Income
New Jersey is the sixth most expensive state in which to rent, according to the document which cited “Out of Reach 2016” by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
“Fortunately, for Cape May County, it is not one of the top five most expensive counties in the state.” Those are in northern counties.
“Even with that finding affordable and safe housing remains a struggle,” it states.
In order to meet the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment requires $1,379. “In order to afford this level of rent and utilities, without paying more than 30 percent of income on housing, a household must earn $4,596 monthly or $55,152 annually. That translates to a “Housing Wage” of $26.52 per hour in a state where the minimum wage if $8.38 per hour and the average statewide renter wage is $16.98 per hour.
To afford a two-bedroom apartment in Cape May County, a wage of $20.21 is required, meaning an annual salary of $42,040.
“Yet, according to the American Community Standard five-year estimate, 36.5 percent of the population does not make that wage on an annual basis.”
Many low-income renters in-county turn to housing assistance programs to “help them bridge the gap between the amount they can afford and the rising housing costs in the county.”
Because of that, there are many such programs that have long waiting times before assistance is obtained.
“For example, the estimated wait for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher through the Cape May Housing Authority is three or four-plus years.”
Domestic Violence’s Impact
Among factors the plan cited was that of domestic violence that largely affects women and children.
“On the night of the county…eight homeless households were identified as having a victim of domestic violence. A total of 29 homeless persons who were members of those households were impacted. The majority of these households had at least one adult and one child.”
Veterans among Homeless
On the census night, the county documented six homeless veterans, which was no increase from 2015.
The majority of those were in emergency shelter while one was unsheltered.
When asked what contributed to their situation, 28 persons said they were asked to leave a shared residence. The next cause was eviction with another reason being released from jail or prison.
Shortage of Affordable Housing
The issue of a lack of high-quality, affordable housing was documented as a reason cited for homelessness. “This issue is compounded in Cape May County by land use restrictions and resort areas.”
“These unique barriers for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in rural areas means that policy and program implementation may need to be tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in rural locations/counties.”
Housing First
The fundamental cause of homelessness is the widening housing affordability gap. Therefore, Cape May County would like to explore Housing First as a model for addressing the chronic homeless population. The traditional system approach provides a systematic, but time-consuming approach to providing housing.
“Housing First was developed in New York City and has been replicated nationwide.
“The housing first approach to street homelessness builds on the success of permanent supportive housing.
“Housing First” involves moving long-term street homeless individuals, the majority of whom are living with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and other serious health problems, directly into subsidized housing and then linking them to support services, either on-site or in the community.
“Research studies have found that the majority of long-term street homeless people moved into “housing first” apartments remain stably housed and experience significant improvements in their health problems.”
“As a model Cape May County is interested in exploring Housing First as one possible solution to address the chronic homeless population. It is a way to make long term advancements that create permanent solutions to a situation that can be a fiscal drain if not addressed from a holistic, long-term plan.”
The document stated that the plan, as a living document, is meant to change over time as resources and issues are further developed.
The lead agency, to be determined, will be discussed and decided in the first quarter of 2017.