Transitional Housing Centers Statewide to Receive Nearly $4 Million in Grant Funds

Yesterday, Governor Chris Christie announced the distribution of 37 Shelter Support grants totaling $3.83 million in both state and federal funding to transitional housing programs statewide, according to a release from the governor’s press secretary Michael Drewniak.

One of the programs receiving these funds from the state and federal government is Ocean’s Harbor House in Toms River, a transitional housing center which will see $72,856 from these Shelter Support grants.

Ocean's Harbor House a $900 federal grant through Brick Township this fall.

“Emphasizing the vital work of service organizations in communities throughout the state, the grants will aid nonprofit and local government agencies operating emergency homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities while assisting approximately 3,000 New Jersey households over the next year,” Drewniak said.

Christie made the grant award announcement at Community Hope’s “Hope For Veterans”, a transitional housing program for homeless veterans situated on the Lyons Campus in Somerset County. According to Drewniak, Community Hope is receiving a $189,000 grant that will improve the living conditions of the veterans who are staying there, in addition to providing for continued transitional lodging until they are able to find a permanent place to live.

“These grants will be used to abate code violations, address life safety issues, create additional bed space and support the 1,652 beds in existing homeless shelters and transitional housing, resulting in improved living conditions for homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence and military veterans,” said Drewniak in his press release.

“The long-term effects of the global recession underscore how important even the basic necessities are to families and veterans in crisis – things that so many of us take for granted, such as a decent meal and a safe, warm place to sleep,” said Governor Christie. “While my administration continues to make progress on the larger economic and quality of life goals facing the state, it is important to reinforce our commitment to service by making this grant funding available to local service organizations that are in a position to help make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.”

The governor added that he was proud of his many cabinet members who volunteered as a part of community service organizations throughout the state, including “From Oasis”, Eva’s Kitchen”, “Project Self-Sufficiency” and “Anchor House”.

“They served meals, read to children and delivered much-needed coats to our neighbors in need,” said Christie.

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Lori Grifa said, “When families arrive at a shelter, they’ve normally exhausted every resource they have in an effort to avoid homelessness. Some have made enormous sacrifices just to keep a roof over their heads. These grants will help local and faith-based organizations provide people with a warm, dry place to stay until they can regain their financial footing and move into more permanent housing.”

Drewniak explained in his press release that funding for the grants is a combination of state appropriation and money from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, which are administered through the DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources.

“Since 2003, the Department of Community Affairs has awarded 294 grants totaling approximately $42,050,750 to non-profit and service organizations that run homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities.  As a result of the Shelter Support grants 1,452 beds have been created and more than 3,200 individuals are helped each year,” Drewniak commented.

Drewniak added in his release that applications which provided for new beds or resolved code violations were given highest priority status by the Division of Housing and Community Resources staff.

“The group also considered the following when making its recommendations: 1) the applicant’s success in completing prior awards; 2) the recommendations of the local Continuum of Care; 3) whether or not the applicant had site control of the project; and 4) the availability of public transportation for shelter and transitional housing residents,” Drewniak said.