NJ Human Services to Provide Counties with $2.5M to Help Protect Homeless Individuals During Freezing & Dangerous Weather
Funding Will Help Local Efforts During Code Blue Alerts
Nov. 16, 2020
(TRENTON) – Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson today announced the Department will provide counties with $2.5 million to support ​local efforts to protect homeless individuals during freezing temperatures and dangerous weather.
Under state law, a Code Blue alert is declared when either temperatures drop below freezing or weather conditions pose a danger to the homeless population. The Code Blue alert directs local ​authorities to ​make shelters or warming centers ​available for individuals who are homeless and unsheltered.
“Protecting and assisting individuals struggling with homelessness is always a top priority, but that need is exacerbated during dangerous weather,” Commissioner Johnson said. “This funding will prove vital to helping local authorities protect individuals in need of a safe place during dangerous cold weather. Assisting counties with ​these resources will help save lives and protect vulnerable individuals and families, while also opening the door to vital assistance for those in need.”
A county governing body is required to declare a Code Blue 24 to 48 hours before weather temperatures are predicted to reach 32 degrees or lower or wind child temperatures will be zero degrees or less for a period of two hours or more.
Counties must also alert municipalities with a documented homeless population of at least 10, social services agencies and nonprofit organizations that a Code Blue will be in effect.
And counties must provide emergency warming centers for the duration of the Code Blue alert.
County allocations are based on Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's Point in Time Count of individuals experiencing homelessness which is updated every year. The allocation breakdown by county is as follows:
|
County |
Allocation |
|
Atlantic |
$120,000 |
|
Bergen |
$95,000 |
|
Burlington |
$145,000 |
|
Camden |
$170,000 |
|
Cape May |
$25,000 |
|
Cumberland |
$50,000 |
|
Essex |
$545,000 |
|
Gloucester |
$25,000 |
|
Hudson |
$240,000 |
|
Hunterdon |
$50,000 |
|
Mercer |
$145,000 |
|
Middlesex |
$170,000 |
|
Monmouth |
$95,000 |
|
Morris |
$95,000 |
|
Ocean |
$95,000 |
|
Passaic |
$145,000 |
|
Salem |
$25,000 |
|
Somerset |
$95,000 |
|
Sussex |
$25,000 |
|
Union |
$120,000 |
|
Warren |
$25,000 |
|
Total |
$2,500,000 |
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