Murphy Administration Addresses Urgent Housing Needs of Formerly-Incarcerated Individuals – Authorization of Emergency Temporary Shelter to Formerly Incarcerated Individuals We are profoundly grateful for the Murphy Administration’s authorization of the operation of temporary emergency shelters for formerly incarcerated individuals who are homeless and/or unsheltered. Our men and women are often homeless upon release and that poses an enhanced threat to their own safety and well being, as well as to the overall community. As such, our men and women can not stay at home and cannot self quarantine. Thanks to the leadership and executive action of Governor Murphy, Lt. Governor Oliver, and DCA, New Jersey has increased our State’s emergency shelter capacity during this crisis by authorizing the operation of temporary emergency shelters. Many thanks to the willing providers of shelter, including houses of worship and other non-profits. This measure addresses a dire need. As a result of COVID- 19, many shelters throughout the state are full, currently administering temperature testing, and individuals with temperatures of 100.4 are being turned away. Though understandable, this creates an untenable situation for our men and women. The number of persons being released on regular basis is staggering: 460 individuals released from state prisons per month and approximately 8,300 individuals per month contacting the county jail system. The actions today of the Murphy Administration and DCA is an enormous step toward assisting marginalized New Jerseyans to access shelter, comply with public health orders, and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As this health emergency continues, there is more work yet to be done. We are also grateful to Commissioner Carole Johnson, Department of Human Services, for her hard work, diligence, and responsiveness toward improving government services for the people we are privileged to serve. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regulations in the attached documents shall ease licensure requirements in order to empower willing providers of shelter to establish emergency temporary shelters.

About the New Jersey Reentry Corporation The New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) provides critically needed services to court involved individuals, including persons having served the maximum sentence in state prison, state prison parolees, county jail probationers, Drug Court participants and persons leaving federal prisons. NJRC’s services include linking program participants to: addiction treatment (detoxification, residential treatment, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and providing Medication Assisted Treatment), structured sober housing, job training and employment, driver licenses restoration and legal services, and healthcare (medical, mental health, and behavioral). Program participants receive individualized clinical assessment and treatment plans that address essential health needs to become “work ready.” NJRC’s pro bono legal services program screens and provides clients assistance with state identification and driver’s license restoration. NJRC then assists in securing employment for their program participants with private and public employers who are “background-friendly.”