|
News from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders
|
County Department of Human Services Seeks Volunteers
And Donations for ‘Point in Time’ Survey
The Somerset County Department of Human Services is currently seeking volunteers to help conduct a ‘Point in Time’ survey of homeless individuals and families in the county. The purpose of the survey, which will be held on Thursday, April 27, is to count, describe and understand homeless people who do not use shelters and are typically found on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or other places not meant for human habitation.
The Point in Time survey is part of a statewide effort to obtain an accurate snapshot of New Jersey’s homeless population in response to a directive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“The more we know about the homeless within Somerset County and the state, the better we will be able to serve them and move toward reducing and ultimately ending homelessness,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Robert Zaborowski, human services liaison. “We greatly appreciate the time and effort of volunteers who help us complete the Point in Time survey.”
Volunteers, who will be sent out in groups of two for two-hour shifts to conduct the survey, will be asked to distribute packages containing food, drinks and personal items to homeless individuals. Areas of focus will be Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Franklin, Manville, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville and South Bound Brook.
The Department of Human Services is seeking donations of items to be included in the packages that will be distributed. Donated items can include bottled water, juice boxes, individually wrapped snacks such as granola bars, crackers, nuts, trail mix, tooth brushes, toothpaste, travel-size soap and deodorant. Donations can be dropped of at the Somerset County Community Development Office, located in the Human Services building at 92 E. Main St. in Somerville.
Collecting baseline data is essential to understanding the causes of homelessness and to designing effective responses. Somerset County is required to report the number of people who are homeless at particular intervals in order to apply for HUD’s Continuum of Care funding, which is a discretionary grant that provides housing and supportive services to people with special needs. Data collection at regular intervals also will help to track progress toward reducing homelessness.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Paulette Gilfoil, Somerset County Community Development Office, at (908) 541-5756 or
gilfoil@co.somerset.nj.us
.
|