Executive Order 92

WHEREAS, New Jersey faces the problem of insufficient

shelter for a growing number of homeless individuals and

families, including seniors, people with disabilities, children,

and veterans; and

WHEREAS, housing is one of the basic needs of all

individuals and families within the State of New Jersey and

across the nation; and

WHEREAS, homelessness creates barriers to safety, health,

education, and full productive participation in the community;

and

WHEREAS, each year, individuals and families lose their

housing and become homeless due to assorted unforeseen

circumstances and often through no fault of their own; and

WHEREAS, there is no single, simple solution to the

problems of homelessness because of the different subpopulations

of the homeless, the different causes of and reasons

for homelessness, and the different needs of homeless

individuals and families; and

WHEREAS, the United States Interagency Council on

Homelessness, created in 1987 pursuant to what is now known as

the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11311 et

seq., supports the creation of national partnerships at every

level of government and with the private sector to prevent and

reduce homelessness in the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of

New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the

Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER

and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby established in the Department of Human

Services (“DHS”) an Interagency Council on Homelessness (the

“Council”).

2. The membership of the Council shall be comprised of

the following: (i) the Commissioners of the Department of

Children and Families, the Department of Community Affairs

(“DCA”), the Department of Corrections, the Department of

Education, the Department of Health and Senior Services, the

Department of Human Services, and the Department of Labor and

Workforce Development, the Executive Director of the New Jersey

Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Chair of the State

Parole Board, the Adjutant General of the Department of Military

and Veterans Affairs, and a representative of the Office of the

Governor, each of whom shall serve ex officio and may appoint a

designee; and (ii) fifteen (15) public members appointed by the

Governor.

3. The Commissioners of DHS and DCA, or their designees,

shall act as co-chairpersons of the Council.

4. The public members of the Council shall serve at the

pleasure of the Governor and without compensation.

5. The Council shall meet on a regular basis as

determined by the co-chairpersons.

6. The Council shall:

a. Consider the Interim Report issued by the Council

on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness;

b. Identify statutory and regulatory impediments to

the effective provision of services to homeless individuals and

families and recommend changes to relevant laws, regulations,

programs, and policies in order to better address the use of

State funds directed to homelessness and homelessness

prevention;

c. Prepare an annual report to the Governor by or

before December 31st of each year through the term of the Council

detailing the work of the Council over the previous twelve

months; and

d. Utilizing the aforementioned reports and building

upon the interim findings and recommendations of the Council,

prepare a comprehensive ten-year plan to prevent and end

homelessness in New Jersey.

7. The Council shall organize and meet as soon as

practicable after the appointment of a majority of its members.

8. Staffing for the Council shall be undertaken and

coordinated by DHS and DCA.

9. The Council is authorized to call upon any department,

division, office, or agency of State government to provide such

information, resources, or other assistance deemed necessary to

discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each

department, division, office, and agency of this State is hereby

required, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate

with the Council and to furnish it with such information,

personnel, and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the

purposes of this Order.

10. The Council shall operate until December 31, 2014.

11. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this

18th day of April,

Two Thousand and Twelve,

and of the Independence of

the United States, the Two

Hundred and Thirty-Sixth.

[seal]

/s/ Chris Christie

Governor

Attest:

/s/ Charles B. McKenna

Chief Counsel to the Governor