Legislation Would Replace Temporary Programs for 

Chronically Ill & Disabled

Press Release 3/5/18

Homelessness

Trenton – Legislation authored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Joe Vitale that would respond to crisis situations that threaten some of the neediest residents of New Jersey with homelessness was approved by a Senate committee recently. The bill, S-866, would create a permanent housing assistance program to help the disabled, chronically ill and long-term unemployed who are confronted with the abrupt termination of temporary services.

“There are no good reasons and no acceptable excuses for not doing what we can to help those who are forced to overcome obstacles in their lives that are thrust upon them,” said Senator Sweeney. “Homelessness is a preventable and curable circumstance that we have the ability to address. This is emergency assistance for those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. This plan will make a real difference in their lives.”

The state’s Housing Assistance and Housing Hardship Extension programs, which provide emergency aid for the disabled, their caregivers, the elderly, the poor, the homeless and the chronically unemployed, expired in 2015 with no real replacement in place.

“Because the programs in place were temporary the assistance they provided didn’t provide the security and certainty for people already facing insecure and uncertain living conditions,” said Senator Vitale. “Some individuals have already been left homeless and countless others are struggling to secure housing aid. But they all deserve the stability of a roof over their head.”

The legislation will replace the three-year “pilot” programs with a permanent emergency assistance plan. The bill would make the funding permanent for individuals who are very low income, receive general assistance benefits, are Social Security recipients, are in imminent danger of homelessness, disabled or those who care for a disabled dependent, or are over 60 years of age and chronically unemployed.

Prior to July 2015, those receiving benefits through the emergency assistance program were granted additional rental assistance beyond the 12 months through pilot programs implemented by the Department of Human Services. These temporary, three-year pilot programs put current participants in limbo on whether their benefits will continue.

The pilot programs were funded by a combination of state and federal dollars provided to the counties and administered on the county level by County Boards of Social Services and various non-profit organizations.

According to the state, individuals who were enrolled in HAP and HHE were continued in the program for the remainder of their eligibility, but no new clients were enrolled. As of January 1, 2016, the department is funding, on a limited basis, intensive case management programs for individuals who were enrolled in HAP or HHE at the conclusion of the pilot.

At least 3,000 people were imperiled by the cutoff and transition, according to official accounts, but the actual number could be much higher.

The bill was approved 8-0 by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.