Our first status conference before Judge Foster, the new judge in the Right to Shelter Litigation, is scheduled for Tuesday September 13th at 9 a.m. This will probably be a routine status conference relating to discovery and/or scheduling matters.
If you can make it, please come show your support for the homeless. The first two hearings held in Judge Grasso's court demonstrated the community's support for the homeless. Let's continue building upon that momentum and and show this is a human rights issue and the community supports the fair and ethical treatment of the homeless.
The conference will be held at 100 Hooper Ave in Toms River in Judge Foster's courtroom which I believe is Courtroom 3.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane preparations, parts 2 & 3
Evacuation shelters opened at 8 a.m., Friday, Aug. 26 at Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin and Toms River High School North, Toms River. Both shelters are pet friendly.
WOBM radio also said Brick Township is opening shelters in both high schools.
And repeating Jeff’s news, Lakewood is opening up an emergency shelter at the high school on Somerset Ave.
Please spread the word if anyone wants to help transport homeless to or from this shelter, or provide hurricane supplies. Also, thanks to congregation Beth Am Shalom for contacting Minister Steve to provide bottled water. For anyone else who wants to offer help, Minister Steve's cell number is (732) 364-0340.
From Lakewood's attorney Mike DiCicco: Anyone wanting shelter should call the regular police number, not 911, prior to noon on Saturday. The police will help with transport. The police will be setting the hours of the shelter so anyone seeking shelter should contact the police to determine when the shelter will be open.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hurricane Preparations
Members of our Coalition are concerned about Hurricane Irene and its possible impact this weekend on those living in tents. I sent the e-mail below to the attorneys for Ocean County, and I will let you know if the County responds and identifies some indoor location(s) where homeless individuals can get emergency assistance this weekend if necessary. In addition, Minister Steve Brigham tells me that two congregations, All Saints Episcopal in Lakewood and West Grove Methodist in Neptune, have offered their doors and floors this weekend. Many thanks to these congregations and any others in the area that want to contact Minister Steve (732-364-0340) to offer help relating to the possible hurricane, such as transporting people to safety and, after the storm (hurricane or not) repairing any damage. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the homeless this weekend.
From: Wild, Jeffrey J.
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 5:26 PM
To: Jean L. Cipriani, Esq.
Cc: Garrick Slavick; 'Larry Perlberg'; Michael M. DiCicco; Weiss, Catherine; Sheikh, Khizar A.
Subject: Hurricane Help for Homeless?
Importance: High
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 5:26 PM
To: Jean L. Cipriani, Esq.
Cc: Garrick Slavick; 'Larry Perlberg'; Michael M. DiCicco; Weiss, Catherine; Sheikh, Khizar A.
Subject: Hurricane Help for Homeless?
Importance: High
At least last I heard, there was a possibility of Hurricane Irene hitting or having major effects in or near Ocean County on Saturday and/or Sunday. Given that the conditions could be life-threatening, is Ocean County arranging for, or will it arrange for, some indoor location(s) where members of the public, including homeless individuals, can seek refuge from the possible hurricane this weekend? For example, I see no reason why county buildings could not be made available this weekend for this purpose. Even if the County disputes an obligation to provide shelter at all times (the subject matter of the pending litigation), the County should not fail to offer protection to county residents in an emergency situation of this kind. Please advise as soon as possible one way or the other.
Jeffrey J. Wild
Member of the Firm
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Tele: 973-597-2554
Fax: 973-597-2555
-and-
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tele: 212-262-6700
Fax: 973-5970-2555
jwild@lowenstein.com
www.lowenstein.com
Member of the Firm
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Tele: 973-597-2554
Fax: 973-597-2555
-and-
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tele: 212-262-6700
Fax: 973-5970-2555
jwild@lowenstein.com
www.lowenstein.com
Worldwide concern for the homeless
Just within the last few weeks, reporters from CBS, NBC, Fox News, ABC and the British press have been to the Lakewood tent city and run stories about it. Also, tent city is in full compliance with the consent order with Lakewood, and we will continue to defend the residents' right to stay there until Ocean County makes shelter available in the county.
Jeff Wild
Member of the Firm
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Tele: 973-597-2554
Fax: 973-597-2555
-and-
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tele: 212-262-6700
Fax: 973-5970-2555
jwild@lowenstein.com
www.lowenstein.com
Jeff Wild
Member of the Firm
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Tele: 973-597-2554
Fax: 973-597-2555
-and-
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tele: 212-262-6700
Fax: 973-5970-2555
jwild@lowenstein.com
www.lowenstein.com
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
HUD's proposed new Fair Market Rents
Attached is a chart showing HUD's proposed new Fair Market Rents (FMR). They could still change, but that is not likely. (The FMR is set at the 40th percentile, just below the median rent for the County. This means that 60 per cent of the rents in the County are higher than the FMR, and 40% are lower.)
HUD's proposed new Fair Market Rents - for a two-bedroom dwelling, the proposed FMR is $1417 per month - indicate that rents for two-bedroom apartments in Ocean County have gone up nearly 6% since last year. Rents in Bergen and Passaic Counties are the most expensive in the state; Ocean and Monmouth Counties are right behind them.
Proposed Fair Market Rents for New Jersey
Effective on October 1, 2011
0 Bdrm | 1 Bdrm | 2 Bdrm | 3 Bdrm | 4 Bdrm | |
Atlantic | $852 | $939 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,593 |
Bergen | $1,212 | $1,326 | $1,515 | $1,910 | $2,313 |
Bulrington | $788 | $899 | $1,075 | $1,315 | $1,586 |
Camden | $788 | $899 | $1,075 | $1,315 | $1,586 |
Cape May | $841 | $858 | $1,079 | $1,413 | $1,456 |
Cumberland | $804 | $807 | $1,017 | $1,236 | $1,302 |
Essex | $923 | $1,128 | $1,289 | $1,543 | $1,707 |
Gloucester | $788 | $899 | $1,075 | $1,315 | $1,707 |
Hudson | $1,027 | $1,085 | $1,266 | $1,534 | $1,652 |
Hunterdon | $1,086 | $1,125 | $1,324 | $1,662 | $1,960 |
Mercer | $916 | $1,054 | $1,267 | $1,514 | $1,699 |
Middlesex | $1,086 | $1,125 | $1,324 | $1,662 | $1,960 |
Monmouth | $1,005 | $1,161 | $1,417 | $1,846 | $2,004 |
Morris | $923 | $1,128 | $1,289 | $1,543 | $1,707 |
Ocean | $1,005 | $1,161 | $1,417 | $1,846 | $2,004 |
Passaic | $1,212 | $1,326 | $1,515 | $1,910 | $2,313 |
Salem | $788 | $899 | $1,075 | $1,315 | $1,586 |
Somerset | $1,086 | $1,125 | $1,324 | $1,662 | $1,960 |
Sussex | $923 | $1,128 | $1,289 | $1,543 | $1,707 |
Union | $923 | $1,128 | $1,289 | $1,543 | $1,707 |
Warren | $849 | $950 | $1,111 | $1,330 | $1,369 |
Friday, August 19, 2011
7 myths about homelessness
Two months ago Richard Brown posted a series about the myths of homelessness. One of the most important ways we can eliminate homelessness is to blow away all the misinformation about the homeless and learn how we can help.
There are many myths and stereotypes about the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in New Jersey. Today we publish the first of some of the common myths about the homeless population, along with the facts that challenge them.
Myth 1: People who are homeless in New Jersey take advantage of the system. Wrong!In actuality, a relatively small percentage of people experiencing homelessness receive government assistance. In 2010, 18% of the homeless population received General Public Assistance, 10% received Social Security Insurance (SSI), and 6% received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF.)
To read more use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/13/myths-about-the-homeless-in-nj/
Myth 2: Building affordable and supportive housing brings people who are homeless to New Jersey. Wrong!Respondents to the New Jersey 2010 Point in Time Count of the homeless reported that 85% of those surveyed resided in our state before becoming homeless. The reasons some individuals who are homeless move to new areas include that they are searching for work, have family in the area, were originally from the area or have other reasons not related to access to housing.
To read more about this myth use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/14/will-they-come-if-you-build-housing/
Myth 3: Individuals and families who are homeless are different than me. Wrong!The homeless population is not made up entirely of single men. New Jersey’s homeless population is made up of individuals, families, veterans, and youth aging out of the foster care system along with other populations. And in fact, families are the largest growing population of the homeless. And many families experiencing homelessness are not even counted as homeless because they are living doubled up with friends or family.
To read more about this myth use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/17/are-the-homeless-different-than-me/
Myth 4: You will never eliminate homelessness. Wrong!We know what works and how to end homelessness – effective prevention and emergency services and permanent affordable and supportive housing. While New Jersey’s homeless population increased 7% over the past two years, that is a relatively small increase given the current economic recession. Chronic homelessness has decreased over the past two years.
And while the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness for the first time is increasing, the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness has decreased over the past two years.
To read more use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/18/is-ending-homelessness-impossible/
Myth 5: People are homeless because they choose to be homeless. Wrong!
People experience homelessness because they cannot find rental apartments that are affordable. In order to afford a two bedroom apartment in New Jersey, without paying more than 30% of income on housing, a household must earn $4,215/month or $50,577/year. And there are many full time jobs in our state that do not pay that salary. In New Jersey, a minimum wage worker earns $7.25/hour. In order to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 134 hours/week, 52 weeks/year.
To read more about this myth use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/19/do-people-choose-to-be-homeless/
Myth 6: The Housing First model does not work. Wrong!
If you ask individuals and families experiencing homelessness, they will tell you that they do not want to remain homeless. The Housing First model of permanent housing shows the success that formerly homeless individuals have when giving permanent housing. The goal of "housing first" is to immediately house people who are homeless.
In New Jersey, the Mercer Housing First Demonstration Initiative has established a sustainable model for substantially reducing the economic, social and personal costs of family and chronic homelessness.
To read more about housing first works use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/20/does-housing-first-work/
Myth 7: Homeless people don’t want to work and are lazy. Wrong on both counts!
Many individuals and families are homeless because of a economic, health or relationship crisis and not by choice. In fact, in 2010, 14% of individuals experiencing homelessness in New Jersey (HMIS data) reported that they were currently working and an additional 6% were collecting unemployment benefits.
To read more about this myth use this link- http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/26/no-one-wants-to-be-homeless/
There are many myths and stereotypes about the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in New Jersey. Today we publish the first of some of the common myths about the homeless population, along with the facts that challenge them.
Myth 1: People who are homeless in New Jersey take advantage of the system. Wrong!In actuality, a relatively small percentage of people experiencing homelessness receive government assistance. In 2010, 18% of the homeless population received General Public Assistance, 10% received Social Security Insurance (SSI), and 6% received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF.)
To read more use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/13/myths-about-the-homeless-in-nj/
Myth 2: Building affordable and supportive housing brings people who are homeless to New Jersey. Wrong!Respondents to the New Jersey 2010 Point in Time Count of the homeless reported that 85% of those surveyed resided in our state before becoming homeless. The reasons some individuals who are homeless move to new areas include that they are searching for work, have family in the area, were originally from the area or have other reasons not related to access to housing.
To read more about this myth use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/14/will-they-come-if-you-build-housing/
Myth 3: Individuals and families who are homeless are different than me. Wrong!The homeless population is not made up entirely of single men. New Jersey’s homeless population is made up of individuals, families, veterans, and youth aging out of the foster care system along with other populations. And in fact, families are the largest growing population of the homeless. And many families experiencing homelessness are not even counted as homeless because they are living doubled up with friends or family.
To read more about this myth use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/17/are-the-homeless-different-than-me/
Myth 4: You will never eliminate homelessness. Wrong!We know what works and how to end homelessness – effective prevention and emergency services and permanent affordable and supportive housing. While New Jersey’s homeless population increased 7% over the past two years, that is a relatively small increase given the current economic recession. Chronic homelessness has decreased over the past two years.
And while the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness for the first time is increasing, the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness has decreased over the past two years.
To read more use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/18/is-ending-homelessness-impossible/
Myth 5: People are homeless because they choose to be homeless. Wrong!
People experience homelessness because they cannot find rental apartments that are affordable. In order to afford a two bedroom apartment in New Jersey, without paying more than 30% of income on housing, a household must earn $4,215/month or $50,577/year. And there are many full time jobs in our state that do not pay that salary. In New Jersey, a minimum wage worker earns $7.25/hour. In order to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 134 hours/week, 52 weeks/year.
To read more about this myth use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/19/do-people-choose-to-be-homeless/
Myth 6: The Housing First model does not work. Wrong!
If you ask individuals and families experiencing homelessness, they will tell you that they do not want to remain homeless. The Housing First model of permanent housing shows the success that formerly homeless individuals have when giving permanent housing. The goal of "housing first" is to immediately house people who are homeless.
In New Jersey, the Mercer Housing First Demonstration Initiative has established a sustainable model for substantially reducing the economic, social and personal costs of family and chronic homelessness.
To read more about housing first works use this link:
http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/20/does-housing-first-work/
Myth 7: Homeless people don’t want to work and are lazy. Wrong on both counts!
Many individuals and families are homeless because of a economic, health or relationship crisis and not by choice. In fact, in 2010, 14% of individuals experiencing homelessness in New Jersey (HMIS data) reported that they were currently working and an additional 6% were collecting unemployment benefits.
To read more about this myth use this link- http://monarchhousing.org/2011/04/26/no-one-wants-to-be-homeless/
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