The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced the allocation of $7,167,766 to nonprofit organizations throughout the state. This funding aims to support services and financial aid for individuals at risk of homelessness. The funds are part of the Homelessness Diversion Pilot Program and the Homelessness Prevention Program, both managed by the DCA's Office of Homelessness Prevention.
"DCA is partnering with community-based organizations statewide to help prevent families from experiencing the distress of unsheltered homelessness," stated DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "Our programs are focused on finding practical and creative ways to keep people in their homes whenever possible and maintain their housing in the long-term."
DCA Assistant Commissioner Janel Winter, who oversees the Division of Housing and Community Resources, added, "We recognize that housing is fundamental to human dignity. Therefore, our goal is always to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place." She emphasized that when housing loss occurs, DCA's mission with its partners is to ensure any experience of homelessness is brief and singular.
The Homelessness Diversion Pilot Program offers rapid housing case management, problem-solving strategies, and flexible funding assistance to help households manage their housing crises. Recently, $4.83 million was allocated to various nonprofit organizations under this program.
Meanwhile, the Homelessness Prevention Program provides up to three months of financial assistance for overdue rent or mortgage payments for households facing eviction or foreclosure due to temporary financial issues such as medical emergencies or natural disasters. Under this initiative, $2,337,766 was awarded recently.
The Office of Homelessness Prevention coordinates efforts among state agencies and private organizations aimed at preventing homelessness. It also administers programs and conducts research to evaluate existing prevention services while developing new initiatives.
Located within the Division of Housing and Community Resources, this office supports communities through affordable housing delivery and technical assistance. The DCA also offers various other programs related to local government management, fire safety, rental assistance, disaster recovery, historic preservation, and more.
