SWAINTON – A sole dissenting vote was cast by West Cape May Borough Commissioner Carol Sabo against a Cape May County League of Municipalities resolution to utilize Atlantic City Rescue Mission for emergency housing of homeless. The situation was surfaced recently by Middle Township officials who met with state officials over use of vouchers to house homeless in motels in the municipality.
“Our goal is not to kick this problem down the curb,” said Connie Mahon, Middle Township administrator and league secretary. Rather the goal is to offer assistance, guidance, and job training to the homeless, Mahon added. “This is us wanting to get them help they so desperately need,” she said.
The league’s majority vote at the Feb. 23 meeting at Avalon Links, urged the Department of Human Services to approve a memorandum of understanding between the county and the mission to temporarily house homeless persons.
Sabo, whose “day job is a social worker,” rose to object.
“Closing our eyes is shameful,” said Middle Township Committeeman Timothy Donohue. “We’ve been working on this for three years.” He said an agreement was readied but “there was a change in leadership and suddenly it disappeared off the radar.” “We don’t have the social service network they need to succeed,” Donohue added, as he urged elected peers to draft their own resolutions of support.
“Historically when we share with Atlantic County, Cape May County gets the short end,” Sabo said. She wondered about a “realistic needs assessment being done”
“We do not have an in-patient detox unit in this county. We do not have a homeless shelter. Cumberland County has a homeless shelter, Atlantic County has several. We need the services in county. When you move people out of the county they do not get the services they need,” said Sabo.
“Shifting the problem up the street will not help the people get services,” said Sabo.
“That being said, I think the first step is for us to approve this resolution and get started on it,” said League President Joan Kramar.
“No, this is shifting the problem,” Sabo said.
“Well, we can’t build a homeless shelter today,” countered Donohue.
“No we can’t…” said Sabo.
“If we can get these people help now, up there, while we address the problem on the ground here. Well, you shouldn’t let perfection be the end of your progress,” Donohue said.
After Kramar called for the vote, she stated, “It looks like the ayes have it. And, Carol, we will work on the other issue as well.”
Resolution:
CAPE MAY COUNTY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES
COUNTY OF CAPE MAY
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
RESOLUTION 01-2016
Date: February 23, 2016
Subject: Supporting the Use of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission for Emergency Housing
Whereas, there is currently no homeless shelter in Cape May County, and
Whereas, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission has expressed its interest in providing services to Cape May County’s homeless population; and
Whereas, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission currently has memorandums of understanding with Cumberland County, Ocean County and Atlantic County to accept vouchers to house, train and counsel the homeless; and
Whereas, there exists a memorandum of understanding which currently remains in the hands of the Department of Human Services and is yet to be approved, all while the homeless population of Cape May County continues to be placed in local motels with no on-site job training or counseling; and
Whereas; the Atlantic City Rescue Mission works with over 50 agencies to provide job training, drug and alcohol counseling, spiritual counseling, life skills training and provides a safe and secure temporary housing environment for those in need; and
Whereas, it is statistically proven that counseling and job training are necessary to break the cycle of homelessness; and
Whereas, the increasing homeless population in Cape May County deserves access to a better life through counseling and training.
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the membership of the Cape May County League of Municipalities hereby supports the use of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission to temporarily house homeless individuals and further urges the Department of Human Services to approve the memorandum of understanding between the County of Cape May and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission.
Be it Further Resolved that a certified copy of this resolution be sent to the following: Senator Jeff Van Drew, Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak, Assemblyman Bruce Land the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, all Cape May County municipalities, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission and the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
I, Joan Kramar, President of the Cape May County League of Municipalities, Cape May County, State of New Jersey do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Cape May County League of Municipalities at a meeting of said League, held on February 23, 2016.
Witness my hand and seal of
the Township of Middle, this
23th day of February , 2016.
Joan Kramar, President
