TOMS RIVER – Ocean County has faced longstanding criticism for the absence of a homeless shelter. Recent contract awards indicate the county’s approach to tackling homelessness will be to fund external entities rather than running a shelter itself.
“The funds we have allocated support our strategy to entrust the development of transitional housing for the homeless to nonprofits equipped to provide these services,” said Commissioner Director Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea. “These initiatives, combined with establishing our Homelessness Task Force and the Homelessness Trust Fund, represent Ocean County’s commitment to preventing homelessness and implementing effective solutions.”
This article is the first in a series examining how the Ocean County Board of Commissioners is utilizing $12.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to prevent homelessness and assist the unhoused. The funds were awarded at a recent Commissioners’ meeting following a competitive bidding process.
Dr. Tracy Maksel, Director of Human Services, said that the focus was on four goals in coming up with ARPA projects to address homelessness within the county.
“One was to build capacity to cover that gap that was identified and then to target individuals that would be otherwise ineligible for the existing public service delivery system,” said Maksel. “Third was definitely to incorporate partners that had the infrastructure and the foresight to be innovative with these projects. And then the fourth was reducing stigma and incorrect assumptions around homelessness.”
Maksel credited Rose Bulbach of her office in managing contracts that have to do with housing, homelessness, food insecurity, and overall human service programs that are not aligned with other units like behavioral health, workforce development, and children.
The $12.5 million fund was awarded for two distinct projects. The first involves a $5 million allocation to Bright Harbor Healthcare, formerly known as Ocean Mental Health Services. This funding will enable the nonprofit to provide the Department of Human Services with Young Adult Bridge Housing. The details of this effort will be covered in the next part of this series.
The second allocation, which will be discussed in Part III of this series, involves a $7.5 million award to HABcore Inc. These funds are designated for the Acquisition for Innovations to Address Homelessness and involve collaboration between Family Promise of the Jersey Shore and Bright Harbor.
1 Out Of 5 Face Housing Problems
Preconceived notions and stigma often cloud the public’s understanding of homelessness. Maksel said that when she began working for the county 26 years ago, the original assumptions about homelessness were very stigmatizing.
“They still exist today,” said Maksel. “And what homelessness looks like is vastly different.”
The data concerning the number of Ocean County residents experiencing housing insecurity are alarming. Maksel said that 19.5 percent of residents face this crisis in various stages. Fifty percent of homeless individuals in Ocean County are living with a disability.
Poverty is a significant factor contributing to homelessness, with 10 percent of Ocean County residents living below the poverty line, defined as an annual income of $15,060 for a one-person household. Seven percent of Ocean County seniors are living in poverty.
Children make up 18.3 percent of those living in poverty, and over five percent of New Jersey’s homeless students reside in Ocean County.
Domestic violence is a major cause of housing instability, accounting for 27 percent of those at risk of homelessness in Ocean County. Additionally, 12 percent face eviction due to arrears, 9.3 percent have suffered a loss or reduced job income, and 8.5 percent cite household breakup or death as contributing factors.
Maksel debunked the myth that homeless individuals are unwilling to work. She estimated that approximately 50 percent of homeless people have a job, but wages have not kept up with economic changes. A person earning minimum wage would need to work 86 hours a week to afford a small one-bedroom apartment, excluding other essential expenses like food, transportation, and healthcare.
The misconception that all homeless people suffer from mental illness or substance abuse also perpetuates stigma. While about 20 percent of Americans struggle with these issues, Maksel emphasized that untreated illnesses of all kinds contribute to homelessness.
Nationally, half of the homeless population is over 50 years old and lives on fixed incomes. Factors such as elder abuse, illegal evictions, and financial exploitation exacerbate their vulnerability.
Maksel also addressed the belief that homelessness programs are overly costly and increase taxes. She explained that proper management of homelessness reduces reliance on acute healthcare, law enforcement, and public health systems, ultimately mitigating expenses for the community.
Addressing Homelessness
Homelessness advocates consistently point to Ocean County’s lack of shelter as a disservice. However, Maksel’s handout describes the problem as more complicated and is being addressed as a continuum of services by a network of providers.
In an effort to combat homelessness, Ocean County has allocated funds for nonprofits to offer various support services designed to help individuals stay in their homes. These services include assistance with catching up on overdue rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills and helping people find more affordable essential items. Individuals also receive financial counseling to assist them in planning.
Addressing behavioral health issues, workforce development, and other support services are also integral parts of the county’s comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness.
Commissioner Jack Kelly expressed his gratitude that all the issues would be handled as part of the proposed programs. He emphasized that tackling the root causes of homelessness is essential for helping people on the path to self-sufficiency.
Maksel noted that transitional sheltering is the first step, providing a safe place for those without housing to meet their basic needs. However, she emphasized that sheltering is temporary and not a long-term solution to homelessness. The aim is to prevent the establishment of homeless encampments and unsafe living conditions for those without permanent housing.
The county plans to use smaller shelters as part of its strategy, gradually helping individuals transition to affordable and sustainable housing. Bridge housing will support those who need temporary accommodation while they secure a permanent home with the assistance of service providers.
Although finding affordable housing remains a challenge in the current market, the county is exploring creative solutions, such as matching roommates to share homes and developing tiny homes to address the issue.
Look for the next part of our series next week to learn how Bright Harbor will use funds to create a Youth Bridging Program within Ocean County.
