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ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 2.13, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY BY ESTABLISHING ARTICLE 10 OFFICE OF HOMELESS SERVICES TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND PROVIDE VIABLE OPTIONS FOR PERSON AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AND PERSONS WHO ARE HOMELESS, MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS AND STIGMAS ASSOCIATED WITH HOMELESSNESS, AND TO END HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.
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WHEREAS, the City of Newark desires to establish the Office of Homeless Services within the Department of Health and Community Wellness.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
Note: Additions are shown as underlined and bold. Deletions are shown as strikethroughs.
Section 1. The Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, New Jersey, 2000, as amended by establishing Article 10, Office of Homeless Services, to Title II Administration, Chapter 2.13, Department of Health and Community Wellness.
§ 2:13-10 OFFICE OF homeless services; ESTABLISHED; DUTIES
§ 2:13-10.1 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:
a. Literally Homeless: Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;
b. Imminent Risk of Homelessness: Individual or family who 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 residence has been identified; and (iii) The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing;
c. 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 moves or more during in 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
d. Fleeing/Attempting to Flee DV: Any individual or family who: (i) Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence; (ii) Has no other residence; and (iii) Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
§ 2:13-10.2 Established.
There shall be within the Department of Health and Community Wellness, an Office of Homeless Services, the head of which shall be the Homelessness Director.
The Mayor shall appoint the Homelessness Director.
§ 2:13-10.3 Duties and Responsibilities of the Homelessness Director.
The Homelessness Director, under the direction of the Director of the Department of Health and Community Wellness, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office, 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 citywide homelessness initiatives budget.
§ 2:13-10.4 Composition.
Subject to budget appropriation, the Office of Homeless Services will be comprised of but not limited to the Homelessness Director, Deputy Homelessness Director, Contracts Manager, Housing Planner, Human Resources Clerk, and a Fiscal Officer.
1. The Deputy Homelessness Director will provide support to the Homelessness Director and will serve as the office lead in the Homelessness Director’s absence.
2. The Contracts Manager will draft and manage contracts and documents for the Office of Homeless Services projects, program and initiatives.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The Fiscal Officer will provide fiscal, policy, and internal control management of all funds in the Office of Homeless Services.
§ 2:13-10.5 Budget.
The funding for the Office of Homeless Services shall be provided for in the budget of the Department of Health and Community Wellness.
SECTION 2. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable. To the extent any clause, phrase, sentence, paragraph or provision of this Ordinance shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
SECTION 3. The Ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
SECTION 4. Codification. This Ordinance shall be a part of the Code of the City of Newark as though codified and fully set forth therein. The City Clerk shall have this Ordinance codified and incorporated in the official copies of the Code. The City Clerk and the Corporation Counsel are authorized and directed to change any Chapter, Article and/or Section number of the Code of the City of Newark in the event that the codification of this Ordinance reveals that there is a conflict between the numbers and the existing Code, and in order to avoid confusion and possible accidental repealers of existing provisions not intended to be repealed.
STATEMENT
An Ordinance Amending Title II, Administration, Chapter 2.13, Department of Health and Community Wellness, by establishing Article 10, Office of Homeless Services to address and ultimately end homelessness in the City of Newark…