Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force Sets Funding Priorities – Funded by Your $5 Surcharges at the Ocean County Clerk’s Office

Following a series of information sessions and focus groups, the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force has set funding priorities for 2025.

“It’s important that we all work together and use the information we have gathered to ultimately help the needy and the most vulnerable residents in Ocean County in the best ways possible,” said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, liaison to the Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force. “The creation of the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund in 2023 was a significant starting point for the County in providing more assistance for the homeless and those facing homelessness.”

The Task Force recently released its list of funding priorities for 2025 which includes supportive services to assist those at risk or experiencing homelessness; development of a coordinated prevention system and rental assistance dedicated to those experiencing homelessness.

According to the Task Force, it is evident through the data analysis that there is an increase in households entering the homeless service system annually and once in the system they are staying longer.

“The Task Force has determined that it is critical that a comprehensive prevention system be developed to end homelessness in Ocean County,” Haines noted. “It’s important that all the resources available are being used effectively.”

The Task Force is recommending a working group, subcommittee of the Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition be developed to do a comprehensive review of data available and develop a streamlined and coordinated process that will work to more effectively use prevention funding that already comes into the community but that can also be used to attract more resources.

“Ocean County has a wealth of programs and services to assist our residents, whether through County programs or nonprofits, so it’s essential to have a coordinated prevention system working with both public agencies and also non-profits,” Haines said. “This can help highlight the resources available and attract other resources in our efforts to help our citizens.”

The Task Force has also recommended the use of local funds to continue to support and expand rental assistance dollars to assist households that do not making a living wage as federal American Rescue Plan Act funds sunset beginning this year.

“Since 2023, Ocean County has invested considerable resources into the development of emergency shelter and a robust rapid rehousing program,” the Task Force noted. “Permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing are critical in ending homelessness in the community.”

The Task Force stated that rental assistance programs are most effective if paired with case management to assist households in the engagement, resource navigation, and connection/maintenance of permanent housing. Throughout the community feedback sessions it was emphasized that the additional support is critical for households to move from homelessness to permanently housed.

The Task Force is responsible for a number of duties associated with implementing the Trust Fund including identifying funding priorities through community focused planning activities, measuring progress, working with stakeholders and community members; and providing input in the development of initial funding solicitations.

“In 2023, with the support of the Board of Commissioners, we created a homelessness trust fund in Ocean County,” Haines said.

Under the Homelessness Trust Fund, a $5 surcharge is now applied to most recorded instruments with the Ocean County Clerk’s Office for deposit into the Trust Fund. The money stays in Ocean County to support ongoing programs.

“As of December 2024, the fund has raised $420,000,” Haines said. “Of that amount $168,150 is earmarked for the annual Code Blue Program while the remainder will be used for prevention programs and to help those who are homeless.”

As per the Homelessness Trust guidelines provided by the state, the funds cannot be used by the County to build a homeless shelter.

“These funds help in many other areas including supportive services, prevention services, and also better engagement with homeless individuals seeking shelter during Code Blue to determine their needs and provide them with the services that can help them,” Haines said.

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