COUNTY TO HOLD 18TH ANNUAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT AND POINT-IN-TIME SURVEY TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS

HACKENSACK, NJ - Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners and the Department of Human Services announce that the 18th Annual Project Homeless Connect (PHC) will take place on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center, 120 South River Street in Hackensack from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 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.

"Bergen County is committed to addressing the complex challenges of homelessness, and the 18th Annual Project Homeless Connect underscores our dedication to improving access to resources and raising awareness,” said County Executive Jim Tedesco. “Through collaboration with non-profit, public, private, and individual volunteers, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of our homeless and at-risk residents, working towards a future where everyone has a safe place to call home."

On January 24, 2024, information and referrals will be available from providers including the County Divisions of Senior and Veterans Services, as well as medical services including flu and  COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.  Additionally, there will be information on housing, legal services, job readiness and mental healthcare.

In conjunction with PHC, the Point-in-Time (PIT) survey will be conducted 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 information gathered from the PIT count data will play a vital role in shaping the planning and development of essential services throughout Bergen County," said Bergen County Commissioner Chairman Tom Sullivan. "By comprehensively understanding the needs of our at-risk population, we can enhance and tailor our services to provide effective support and resources, ultimately working towards preventing homelessness altogether."

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 to end homelessness among chronic and veteran persons experiencing homelessness).