Homelessness Is Topic of COCA Meeting

CREST HAVEN – Largely unnoticed, the homeless of Cape May County sleep in makeshift tents, cars, or wherever they can find a relatively safe place to stay. 
According to the 2016 “Homeless Point-in-Time Survey,” the official tool used by the county government to gauge that population, there were 133. That included 64 individuals and 20 families with dependent children. There were 69 people in homeless families.
While advocates claim there are more, when officials set out to do the count, many times they will find only empty tents and deserted camps, evidence but no humans.
Those homeless were the focus of the March 2 meeting of the Coalition of Civic Associations with two county officials. They administer programs that fund aid for homeless persons.
Donna Groome, director of the Department of Human Services, and Patricia Devaney, director of the Department of Community Affairs and Mental Health Administration, spoke of the pitfalls and regulations that their offices must abide by when disbursing aid.
Both sides of homelessness were explained, governmental definitions, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the human side, where the homeless go on frigid nights, the impact on homeless children, and the hope and need for adequate housing.
‘When it comes to homelessness we need all the tools we have in our toolbox,” said Groome. “There are lots of resources in the county.”
She continued, “In our toolbox, we need more than just one tool.”
The latest in that virtual box, Groome cited, is the County Homelessness Trust Fund which started earlier this year in the County Clerk’s Office. Money is channeled to the trust fund by adding a $3 surcharge for each document recorded in the County Clerk’s Office. It’s estimated that may bring in $70,000 by year end.
Code Blue was also explained, when the temperature dips below a certain degree, homeless persons may be sheltered in a motel or warming center overnight.
The next day the homeless sheltered person must report to the county Social Services office in Rio Grande. There, they will be interviewed to learn what services they may need that could be provided, Groome continued.
Failure to arrive for that interview will result in that person being placed on the ineligibility list for future shelter, although that list may later be altered, she said.
A homeless person is required to report only once to the Social Services office for registration, not each time a Code Blue Advisory is in effect.
While there is a toll-free number or 886-6200 to call to learn of Code Blue advisories, Groome said: “A lot of people know by word of mouth.”
“How do they get there (warming centers)?” asked Fred Short of Avalon.
Groome replied that most participating motels that accept county vouchers are located along bus routes, generally in the lower end of the county. Most clients reach there on foot, she added.
“We don’t have many motels in the upper part of the county that participates with our payment process,” said Groome. That means homeless persons in the northern part of the county must take transportation to get to the south for a motel room on cold nights.
Regardless, “We have not had a lot of complaints,” she added.
“If you live in Ocean View, you’re out of luck,” quipped Tom Henry.
“You would need to find transportation to the nearest motel that would accept payment from social services,” said Groome.
Family Promise, a private organization that does not accept government funding, is “another tool in the toolbox,” added Groome. However, only three families can be accommodated at a time.
Devaney also noted that the group would not accept anyone who has a drug abuse habit. Because they accept no government funds, the group is free to be guided by its rules.
Another faith-based group, Cape Hope was cited as an organization “with good intentions for people who have fallen through the cracks,” said Devaney.
Finding affordable homes for families and individuals is another challenge that faces the population.
Groome noted there is “some temporary rental assistance” for those getting into self-sufficiency. But the government allows $933 monthly for a single bedroom apartment, $1,133 for a two bedroom apartment for a couple and child and for two children the allowance is $1,574. That sum is supposed to include utilities.
“That is very, very difficult to find,” Groome said.