The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has released a video featuring Angela Fields, Executive Director of Family Promise of Hunterdon County. This organization is part of the DCA's network that provides services to homeless individuals or those at risk in New Jersey. The Office of Homelessness Prevention within the Division of Housing and Community Resources coordinates these prevention programs across state and local government agencies as well as private organizations.
In the video, Family Promise of Hunterdon County highlights essential work being done to assist residents at risk of homelessness through the DCA's service provider network. "Our programs coordinate actions to prevent homelessness by finding practical and creative ways to keep people in their homes whenever possible, and to quickly shelter those who are homeless," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "Collaboration with community organizations across the state is very effective in preventing families from experiencing the distress of being without a home."
"Homeless individuals often do not have anyone to help them when they face critical difficulties," stated Angela Fields, Executive Director of Family Promise of Hunterdon County, a nonprofit residential support center serving at-risk populations in rural suburban Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The situation for homeless individuals in rural communities often goes unnoticed due to the vast landscapes in these areas. "We are here to accompany and guide these families because anyone could find themselves in this situation."
"The DCA believes that through joint efforts, stakeholders such as local governments, nonprofits, residents, and businesses can help ensure that people have safe, stable, and sanitary housing regardless of their particular circumstances," said Janel Winter, Deputy Commissioner of the DCA who leads the Division of Housing and Community Resources. "We hope to continue building these collaborative networks and strengthening existing ones so we can better address homelessness and its underlying causes."
Recently, the Office for Homelessness Prevention awarded over $7.1 million in funds to nonprofits statewide including Family Promise of Hunterdon County through the Homeless Diversion Pilot Program and Homelessness Prevention Program.
Through its Eviction Prevention Office with an investment exceeding $7.2 million alongside 16 legal organizations and grassroots community groups provides legal services support flexible financial assistance households facing eviction since fiscal year 2023 approximately 10 685 eligible households served preventing housing entry blocks offering stable roofs tenants.
The department has increasingly improved its effectiveness preventing addressing homelessness providing lodging security amid constant unprecedented challenges housing market.
Through data-driven decision-making program OHP also supported local continuums care regional county systems aimed ending area-specific homelessness technical financial assistance understanding population needs better serve them.
Besides mentioned programs OHP manages various others including street outreach rural suburban areas rapid rehousing comprehensive prevention services document assistance housing support DASH other initiatives meet changing needs New Jersey's homeless or at-risk population further details visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/dhcrohp.shtml.
Office for Homelessness Prevention part Division Housing Community Resources mission strengthen revitalize communities delivering affordable housing supportive services financial technical aid local governments community organizations.
DCA offers wide range programs services including local government administration finance affordable housing production fire safety building safety planning community development disaster recovery mitigation historic preservation information privacy.
