BERGEN COUNTY TO HOLD 17^TH ANNUAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT AND POINT-IN-TIME SURVEY

TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS

(Hackensack, NJ) – Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of Commissioners and the Department of Human Services have announced that the 17^th Annual Project Homeless Connect (PHC) will be held on Wednesday, January 25^th. This event will take place at the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center, 120 South River Street in Hackensack from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PHC is a one-day countywide effort designed to improve access to resources and to increase awareness of the issues confronting our homeless and at-risk residents. It also promotes collaboration between our non-profit, public, private and individual volunteers in the effort to end homelessness. While the PHC is held  annually, the Bergen County Departments and Divisions work year-long with our community partners and local organizations to serve those most in need of help.

“Unfortunately, homelessness is a reality and a concern everywhere across the country,” said Bergen County Executive Tedesco. “Project Homeless Connect and the Point-In-Time-Survey helps us to further connect county residents to much-needed services. This event allows homeless service providers and organizations an opportunity to come together to meet the needs of our most vulnerable population and effectively provide access to services.”  

On January 25^th, information and referrals will be available from providers including the County Divisions of Senior and Veterans Services, as well as medical services including flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and boosters.  Additionally, there will be information related to housing, legal services, job readiness and mental healthcare available.

In conjunction with PHC, the Point-in-Time (PIT) survey will be executed and will provide a snapshot of households in the county that are experiencing homelessness or may be at risk of homelessness. During the survey, trained staff and volunteers will go out into the community and reach those individuals and families to provide them with critical information and assistance, as well as collect important demographic data and information.  The results of the survey will help determine the best allocation of resources and will allow the county to further advocate for additional resources from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The data gathered through the PIT count will assist us with program planning and development throughout Bergen County,” said Bergen County Commissioner Chairman Tom Sullivan.  “Once we know the extent of our homeless population, we can better address their needs and find ways to prevent homelessness in the future.”

The County of Bergen is the first community in the nation to reach and sustain functional zero for chronic homelessness. The County also is the first community in New Jersey (28th in the nation) to achieve the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. Bergen County is one of only a handful of communities in the USA to be recognized by HUD, USUCH and the VA as a double-zero community (for successfully establishing a crisis response system in an effort to end homelessness among chronic and veteran persons experiencing homelessness).

“We have learned over the years that battling homelessness is a moving target, and that is why we must continue to work hard to combat homelessness in Bergen County with our partners wherever we find it,” said Bergen County Executive Tedesco.

**Media interested in photo opportunities are recommended to arrive between 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to receive guided tours of the facility and services being provided.