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The problem of homelessness is one that is not specific to Jersey City, Hudson County, or even New Jersey. Homelessness is a serious, complex, widespread problem that plagues our entire country. The face of homelessness is ever changing and the underlying issues that precipitate homelessness (job loss, disability, domestic violence, substance use) are also varied, necessitating a unique approach and intervention.
Another significant problem in Hudson County continues to be the high cost of housing which is aggravated by a shortage of affordable rental units. The limited number of rental vouchers targeted to the homeless compounds this. A person with a disability eligible for only SSI income would have to spend 170% of their income for a one-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent (FMR). Many of the chronically homeless do not have any income at all. Many who do have an income are forced to live on the streets or utilize the shelter system because they cannot afford the rents in this area.
Data from the 2005 Hudson County Point-in-Time Homeless count, conducted by the Jersey City Division of Community Development and the Hudson County Division of Housing and Community Development, identifies 2,951 homeless individuals living on the streets, in shelters or in transitional housing on January 27th, 2005. Of this number, 335 were identified as chronically homeless according to the HUD definition. An estimated 80 percent of the homeless population are minorities. Some of the factors individuals interviewed reported as contributing to their homelessness were: a history of chronic persistent mental illness, chemical dependence, special needs such as HIV/ AIDS, and a history of hospitalizations, history of incarceration, and an inability to make a living wage. 80 percent reported that they were not working and 27 percent reported being disabled.
Area shelters all operate above capacity and the demand for shelter space increases during winter months. Resources for permanent housing are limited, and consumers often need assistance accessing these waiting lists. The welfare system offers some help thorough its Emergency Assistance (EA) program and Temporary Rental Assistance (TRA) however, these are short-term solutions and do not address the underlying problem of homelessness.
Many barriers to accessing services for homeless consumers in Hudson County exist. Lack of transportation, difficulty gaining access to or navigating the health care, mental health and substance abuse systems, cost, and language are all potential and real barriers for many individuals. The factors influencing an individual's knowledge and understanding are multi-faceted and include comfort and ability in communicating (speaking, reading and writing) English, as it may not be the individual's native language, as well as limited education. Issues also affecting understanding are the provider's ability to deliver culturally competent services, which includes not only sensitivity to race and ethnicity, but also means being responsive to the education level, socio-economic status, housing status, and health status. If individuals do not feel comfortable in the environment, they will not seek care.
JCECDC believes strongly that homelessness is an economic condition, not an individual pathology. With this in mind, JCECDC works diligently to develop property for Supportive Housing and to access dollars to provide rental subsidies for consumers in need of Supportive Housing.
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