2018 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 52 - STATE GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS
Chapter 27D - Establishment
Section 52:27D-287b - Findings, declarations relative to county homelessness trust funds.

Section: 52:27D-287b: Findings, declarations relative to county homelessness trust funds.

2. The Legislature finds and declares:

a. The creation of county homelessness trust funds in counties that have completed and endorsed a plan to end homelessness will provide some of the additional funds necessary to move homeless or formerly homeless individuals toward the goal of permanent affordable housing and self-sufficiency.

b. Despite laudable efforts by all levels of government, private individuals, nonprofit organizations, and charitable foundations to end homelessness, the number of homeless persons in New Jersey is unacceptably high. The State's homeless population, furthermore, includes a large number of families with children, youth, veterans, the elderly, and employed persons.

c. Fiscal and social costs of homelessness are high for both the public and private sectors and declares that ending homelessness should be a joint goal for State and local government.

d. A myriad of factors contribute to homelessness, including a shortage of affordable housing; a shortage of jobs that pay wages and benefits sufficient to support a family; high property taxes which undermine housing affordability; a lack of an accessible and affordable health care system available to all who suffer from physical and mental illnesses and chemical and alcohol dependency; domestic violence; and a lack of education and job skills necessary to acquire adequate wage jobs in the economy of the twenty-first century.

L.2009, c.123, s.2.