Programs to help the homeless and prevent homelessness will benefit from an additional $764,364 in state funding following the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimous vote to enter into a grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

“These funds are another way we work hard to care for the needy here in our county,” Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said.

Once received, the money will be administered by the Ocean County Department of Human Services to provide services to both those already homeless and families in danger of losing their home.

Last year, a similar grant allowed the county to care for more than 6,528 individuals and families, said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Department of Human Services.

In 2013, the funding provided emergency shelter/housing to 2,065 individuals and families.

Another 1,024 individuals and families received prevention assistance, including back rental and mortgage payments, back utility payments and security deposits.

More than 2,800 families were given emergency food and 619 individuals and families received case management services.

“We’re doing our best to make sure no one has to live on the street or in makeshift shelters,” Little said. “On any given night, Ocean County is sheltering more than 6,000 people and families.”

This is the second grant approved by the Freeholders to combat homelessness this month.

Earlier, the Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a $1.4 million federal grant application for, among other things, rental housing, rental assistance, housing rehabilitation, emergency sheltering and the First-Time Homebuyers program.

Among the recipients were King of Kings Community Church for a homeless shelter, Interfaith Hospitality Network for a shelter and assistance to homeless families with children, Hometown Heroes for housing assistance, Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and Ocean County Hunger Relief. [TLS]