PCICH Holds Successful Up County Meeting

On October 23rd,  The Passaic County Interagency Council on Homelessness (PCICH) held a successful event at the Passaic County Community College in Wanaque. PCICH recognizes that homelessness is an issue that affects the entire county, not just the urban areas and were therefore excited to hold this meeting up-county in order to accommodate individuals from all over and receive everyone’s feedback, input and participation in the planning process.

The event, which was attended by representatives of non profits, faith based groups state and federal agencies, local municipalities, county representatives and the media, was held to inform and update the council as well as the public on the recent progress that has been made in the development of a Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Passaic County. At the event, Mayor Joanne Atlas of Ringwood spoke of her personal commitment to end homelessness as well as the unique issues and barriers that are seen surrounding homelessness up county. 

Mayor Joanne Atlas of Ringwood

Sam Miller of the Interagency Council on Homelessness also spoke of the importance of developing Ten Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness as well as the support that federal agencies can provide.  In addition each of the task force chairs gave updates on the current progress that has been made in each of their groups. 

Now each task force will continue to meet for the next few months before they present their findings and final recommendations to the committee.  These recommendations will then be consolidated in to the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Passaic County in December 2006.

To see The Suburban Trends article relating to the meeting up county click here.

The McKinney-Vento program may soon change in several significant and dramatic ways. This has been a subject of conversation for months for those who attend the Continuum of Care and CEAS meetings in New Jersey. The two different bills are the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act (S. 1801) and the Homeless Assistance Consolidation Act (H. R. 5041). If passed both would consolidate the three existing McKinney-Vento programs – the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care and the SRO programs – into one competitive program. Prevention would be added as a new activity within that single funding. Local Boards would be created for each Continuum of Care. These would have new over sight responsibilities.

For more details, click here for a summary of the legislation prepared by National Alliance to End Homelessness. As Congress has adjourned for the fall elections neither bill is expected to pass until next year or in 2008. The changes would go into effect one year after the legislation is passed and signed by the President.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness requests your participation in our advocacy campaign to increase funding for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants. Please join us and sign your organization’s name to a letter to Congress in support of funding McKinney at the $1.536 billion level as included in the House version of the appropriations bill for FY 2007. This represents an increase of 16% over last year’s funding level.

If your organization is interested in signing the letter: contact Sarah Kahn at the National Alliance to End Homelessness by Wednesday November 15th. There is a copy of the letter attached.

On October 21, 2006, over 100 people attended the Harsimus Cove Association’s fundraiser benefit for St. Lucy’s Shelter and Children’s Camp Liberty.

The event began with a screening of Nora Jacobson’s documentary film ‘Delivered Vacant,’ which tells the story of housing gentrification in Hoboken, New Jersey. In detailing the eight year battle that occurred between long-time residents, tenant organizers, developers, and new residents in Hoboken, the film brings issues of property rights, affordable housing, and other social justice issues to the surface.

Nora Jacobson, Filmmaker, ‘Delivered Vacant’ and Dale Hardman, Event Organizer, Harsimus Cove Association
Photo by Heidi Gutierrez-Pagaduan

called ‘Keys to Ending Homelessness in Hudson County.’ The plan will advocate for permanent housing solutions for the chronically homeless including possibly a ‘Housing First’ approach.

As Housing First programs are implemented nationwide, the cost-effectiveness and success rate of these programs has become apparent. Although developing additional permanent affordable housing is the ‘key’ to ending chronic homelessness, the plan will also make recommendations towards system improvements related to health care and mainstream resources, among others.

Susan Mearns also informed those present of this year’s Point in Time Count, which will be completed along with the Statewide Project Homeless Connect, on January 25, 2007. Pairing these events will allow the County to provide those being surveyed with food, clothing, and other needed services. Volunteers are needed to make this event a success.

Councilman Steve Fulop, Ward E, was also a panelist at the event and explained how the Council and City are addressing affordable and low-income housing by requiring additional ‘set-asides’ and low-income units from market-rate developers. Denise Booker represented Jersey City ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), and discussed some of the work that the organization is involved in, related to affordable housing, in Jersey City.

Overall, the event was held for an excellent cause, and the screening of ‘Delivered Vacant,’ along with the diverse panelist representation, allowed the community to learn more about, and discuss, many important issues of affordable housing and homelessness.

Project Homeless Connect is picking up momentum as the January 25th date quickly approaches.  At least 15 counties across the state have committed to event and have begun planning.  In addition the United State Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the New Jersey Department of Human Services are fully supporting the statewide event.

It is important to recognize that Project Homeless Connect will be linked to this year’s HUD mandated Point in Time (PIT) Count. This will allow CoC’s statewide to reach out to and survey more of the homeless people in their communities, and will also allow the CoC to provide those people with much needed services. It is expected that connecting the PIT with PHC day will improve the numbers generated by the PIT count, thus helping CoC’s statewide to prove a need for funding.

It is imperative that CoC’s begin planning for the PIT Count and PHC day immediately! Each CoC will hold a unique, self determined Project Homeless Connect day, and all CoC’s are mandated to perform the Point in Time Count.

Monarch Housing, together with the New Jersey Alliance for the Homeless is holding a planning and organizational meeting on November 8th, 11:30am, at the United Way of Central Jersey. This meeting is open to anyone who is leading or interested in taking part in their Project Homeless Connect.  Please click here to see the invitation.

Click here for a copy of the Project Homeless Connect New Jersey Informational Flyer.

Click here for an list of suggested services to be provided at your PHC

Click here to see the suggested organizational timeline and task chart

Click here for a Have-Need list template to organize your PHC planning

Click here for a template to be used to advertise for your PHC