County Remains Proactive Protecting Most Vulnerable

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(ED. Note: The author is director of the Cape May County Department of Human Services)
Cape May County Human Services Department has been working aggressively to protect the most vulnerable residents with new and expanded programs to keep residents safe and healthy as well as providing financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county continues to work with its partners to ensure those in need are receiving assistance, especially during this time. The Division of Social Services is working closely with the Department of Health to follow guidelines to keep their staff and customers safe from contamination. Measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
On March 25, 2020, a Letter to the Editor appeared in the Cape May County Herald; “Homeless Need County’s Aid Now.”  There were inaccuracies in the letter and implications that the county is not a partner in the issue of homelessness. This response will provide clarification on the points of that letter. 
A report of a large homeless encampment (30) was presented to the Freeholders via email on March 19, 2020. 
This number was concerning, as it didn’t correspond with the latest Point-In-Time Survey (2019) that revealed 10 unsheltered individuals. The county Department of Human Services staff has direct contact with outreach organizations in the area that provide services to unsheltered individuals; their estimated count is approximately seven individuals.
A pattern of warming center usage during Code Blue declarations for 2019/2020 reveal an average of four people utilizing the warming center, this is down from 2018/2019 of the average utilization of 12 people per day. The reduction in unsheltered utilization of the warming centers was a direct result of state policy implementations.  
The county Human Services Department head spoke with a representative from Cape Hope on March 20, 2020 to obtain details of the encampment in an effort to provide services to those living unsheltered during the COVID 19 Crisis. 
As a result of that conversation, the author of the letter revealed that they did not have first-hand knowledge of the encampment. A referral was made by the county department head to the municipal OEM coordinator, who in turn forwarded the referral to the local law enforcement agency.  
An outreach by law enforcement revealed approximately three to four tents and three people. Anyone present was instructed by the police officers to present to Social Services for services.
The department head had several conversations with the person reporting the 30 tents and it was ultimately revealed by the person reporting it that this was not accurate and that there were “a few people in the encampment.”
On March 21, 2020, the county Division of Social Services began placing anyone at risk of losing their short-term temporary housing until their next paycheck. These are individuals utilizing their income to pay for motels that are used as affordable housing, but their income does not cover the entire month. These individuals are currently not protected under the no-eviction orders. Since the COVID 19 crisis is likely to be continuing, these individuals will receive an extension and receive additional assistance after their funding is expended at the end of April.  
As a result of the Governor’s Executive Orders there have been temporary modifications to the programs administered by the Cape May County Division of Social Services.
These temporary modifications have permitted individuals that may not have been eligible for WFNJ and housing support in the past to be eligible during the COVID 19 crisis. 
Representatives from Cape Hope currently attend meetings of the Comprehensive Emergency Assistance System Committee. They are aware of the homeless resources that are applied for by divisions within the Department of Human Services. Most recently, the Homeless Prevention Rapid Rehousing 2 Grant was discussed.   
Prior to the COVID 19 crisis the Board of Chosen Freeholders was working diligently to address the homeless issue. Here are several examples: 
As of Jan. 1, 2020 2-1-1 was established as the statewide after-hours hotline for anyone facing homelessness, a new model but a continuation of a service that has been in the county for over 30 years. 
The Division of Social Services continues to support individuals or families facing a homeless crisis with several federal and state programs.  
The County of Cape May is a member of the Southern New Jersey Continuum of Care SNJCoC. The SNJCoC serves as the primary vehicle for program and spending plan development for all funds that are not county specific including federal HUD dollars designated for the homeless population.
The Division of Social Services will evaluate individuals/families that meet criteria for the permanent supportive housing programs that are a part of the SNJCoC. These programs have very specific eligibility requirements and the consumers are evaluated and placed on a list dependent upon the results of the survey used by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The SNJCoC meets bi-monthly.  
The county, at the support and direction of the freeholder board established the Homeless Trust Fund (HTF). In 2019 several stakeholder meetings were held to determine the target population and targeted services for the funding. There are very specific requirements for the HTF Board membership which is governed by the statute.
The county is in the process of compiling that required board and has had to extend the membership deadline twice in an attempt to obtain the required membership.  
The freeholders have provided municipalities with funding for warming centers for unsheltered individuals that are not eligible for ongoing services through other programs. The county also offers transportation via the county Fare Free Transportation system to and from the warming centers with the pick-up location of The Branches. 
The freeholders continue to provide support to The Branches for its operations as an outreach center, recognizing their integral part of the homeless system.  
The Comprehensive Emergency Assistance System (CEAS) is a subcommittee of the Human Services Advisory Council, advisory to the freeholders. 
CEAS meets bi-monthly and is responsible for identifying and/or reviewing issues related to county specific programs and services for the homeless population including spending plans for state appropriations designated for the homeless.
In addition, the CEAS Committee will provide the required number of voting members to the Southern New Jersey Continuum of Care (SNJCoC) Executive Board. The CEAS Committee will provide/coordinate county specific functions of the Continuum of Care such as the local Point-In-Time Count as requested by the SNJCoC.
The SNJCoC serves as the primary vehicle for program and spending plan development for all funds that are not county specific including federal HUD dollars designated for the homeless population.
While the “system” is not perfect, the Freeholders, do recognize the issue of homelessness, have assistance programs with county, state, and federal programs to support individuals that are homeless and meet regularly to discuss current and new programs and initiatives. They have and will continue to support homeless individuals during this COVID 19 crisis.