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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 2.2, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND AGENCIES, ARTICLE 5, BOARDS, COMMISSION AND AGENCIES OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 2000, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 103, CREATING THE OFFICE OF HOMELESS SERVICES TO PROVIDE VIABLE OPTIONS FOR PERSONS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, WHO ARE HOMELESS, AND MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS AND STIGMAS ASSOCIATED WITH HOMELESSNESS, AND TO END HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.
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WHEREAS, homelessness results from a variety of factors, including accumulated adverse social and economic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the National Alliance to End Homelessness lists the leading causes of homelessness as: lack of affordable housing options, which leads to people facing eviction, instability and ultimately homelessness; and
WHEREAS, lack of income leads individuals and families to make difficult decisions about the necessities that they will be forced to live without and forcing the inseparable choice between health and homelessness; and
WHEREAS, racial disparities whereby Black, Brown and Indigenous persons make up a disproportionate share of the homeless population with the most striking disparity among African Americans who, nationally, account for 39% of people experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2021 Point-in-Time Count, on January 26, 2021, the City of Newark alone made up the largest percentage of the total number of homeless persons in Essex County at 85.9% (Source: NJ Counts 2021: Essex County Point-in-Time Count of the Homeless January 26, 2021); and
WHEREAS, the issue of homelessness is compounded as the City of Newark is facing significant challenges in the areas of medical and mental, health, illegal substance use and abuse, and the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, an increasing number of families have been and will be made homeless as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the lack of temporary sheltering, housing resources and permanent supportive services for homeless individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark has taken significant steps towards addressing and providing a framework and strategy to end homelessness in the City of Newark; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the Municipal Council approved the creation of the City of Newark Commission of Homelessness to assist individuals and families in their move toward independent living and self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, the Commission promotes the safety and well-being of homeless persons, and those at risk of homelessness, in a manner that is not judgmental, stigma-free, and respects their dignity and self-worth; and
WHEREAS, the increasing challenges the City and its residents continue to face, there is a need to dedicate and establish an office to continue to address the needs of our “residents without addresses” and our sheltered individuals at risk of homelessness by providing permanent and temporary housing options, and to connect them to supportive services in order to prevent recidivism; and
WHEREAS, the City‘s ultimate goal is to end the homelessness pandemic, and work towards achieving functional zero; where homelessness is rare overall and brief when it occurs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
Note: Additions are shown in Bold and Underlined. Deletions are shown in Strikeouts.
Section 1. The Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, New Jersey, 2000, as amended and supplemented, are hereby amended by adding §2:2-103 to Article 5, Office of Homeless Services, to Title II Administration, Chapter 2, Office of the Mayor and Agencies.
§2:2-103 OFFICE OF homeless services; ESTABLISHED; DUTIES
§2:2-103.1 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this Article:
“City” means the City of Newark and all City-Related Agencies.
"City-Related Agencies" means all authorities and quasi-public corporations which either: receive appropriations from the City; have entered into continuing contractual or cooperative relationships with the City, including any agreement whereby the City funds an agency's debt service; or operate under legal authority granted to them by City ordinance.
“Homelessness” defined by the criteria below:
(1) Literally Homeless: Individual or family that lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;
(2) Imminent Risk of Homelessness: Individual or family that will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence, provided that: (i) Residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance; (ii) No subsequent or alternative residence has been identified; and (iii) The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing;
(3) Homeless under other Federal Statutes: Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition, but who: (i) Are defined as homeless under the other listed federal statutes; (ii) Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy agreement in permanent housing during the 60 days prior to the homeless assistance application; (iii) Have experienced persistent instability as measured by two (2) or more moves during the preceding 60 days; and (iv) Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time due to special needs or barriers; and
(4) Fleeing/Attempting to Flee DV: Any individual or family that: (i) Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee domestic abuse, or violence; (ii) Has no other residence; and (iii) Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
§2:2-103.2 Established.
There shall be within the Office of the Mayor, an Office of Homeless Services, the head of which shall be the Homelessness Czar.
The Mayor shall appoint the Homelessness Czar.
§2:2-103.3 Duties and Responsibilities of the Homelessness Czar.
The Homelessness Czar, under the direction of the Mayor, shall:
a. Develop and measure the overall effectiveness of a city-wide strategy to address homelessness;
b. Manage policy initiatives and programs that advance the City’s homelessness initiatives;
c. Use data and research to inform the City’s investments in homelessness to assure a targeted approach to homelessness in the community at large;
d. Establish and maintain the city-wide homelessness initiatives budget.
§2:2-103.4 Composition.
Subject to budget appropriation, the Office of Homeless Services will be comprised of, but not limited to, the Homelessness Czar, Deputy Homelessness Czar, Contracts Manager, Housing Planner, Human Resources Clerk, and a Fiscal Officer.
The Deputy Homelessness Czar will provide support to the Homelessness Czar and will serve as the office lead in the Homelessness Czar’s absence.
The Contracts Manager will draft and manage contracts and documents for the Office of Homeless Services projects, programs, and initiatives.
The Housing Planner will research development opportunities for temporary housing, permanent housing and shelter and will coordinate efforts to increase the temporary housing and permanent housing stock for residents without addresses.
The Human Resources Clerk will assist with the hiring process, which includes assistance in sourcing candidates, setting up interviews, maintaining records and managing personnel time.
The Fiscal Officer will provide fiscal, policy, and internal control management of all funds in the Office of Homeless Services.
Section 2. Budget
The funding for the Office of Homeless Services shall be provided for in the budget of the Office of the Mayor.
Section 3. Effective Date
The Ordinance shall be effective upon final passage and publication in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
Section 4. If any provision of this Ordinance or application thereof to any persons or circumstance is adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalidated provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are declared severable.
Section 5. The Municipal Council and/or the City Clerk shall send a certified copy of this Ordinance along with a letter of support to the Governor and all members of the New Jersey Legislature, encouraging similar legislation be passed and signed into law.
STATEMENT
An Ordinance amending Title II, Administration, Chapter 2, Office of the Mayor and Agencies, by adding a new Section creating the Office of Homeless Services to address and ultimately end homelessness in the City of Newark.