TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force has unveiled its funding priorities for 2025, focusing on supportive services, rental assistance, and the development of a coordinated prevention system to address the growing challenges of homelessness in the county.
Haines, in a press release said one of the priorities of the fund is
“It’s important that we all work together and use the information we have gathered to ultimately help the needy and the most vulnerable residents in Ocean County in the best ways possible,” said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, who serves as the liaison to the Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force.
The Homelessness Trust Fund, established in 2023, applies a $5 surcharge to most recorded instruments filed with the Ocean County Clerk’s Office, keeping the money in the county to support programs for homeless individuals and those at risk of losing their homes. As of December 2024, the fund has raised $420,000, with $168,150 allocated to the annual Code Blue program and the remaining funds directed toward prevention services and supportive programs.
2025 Priorities: Prevention, Rental Assistance, and Supportive Services
The Task Force identified three key funding areas for 2025:
- Supportive Services: Resources to assist those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including case management to help households navigate services and maintain stable housing.
- Coordinated Prevention System: A streamlined, community-wide approach to better allocate existing prevention funding while attracting additional resources to address the root causes of homelessness.
- Rental Assistance: Expanded financial support to help low-income households secure housing, especially as federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, which have supported these programs, begin to expire in 2025.
The Task Force’s data analysis shows an increase in households entering the homeless services system each year and longer stays within the system. “It is critical that a comprehensive prevention system be developed to end homelessness in Ocean County,” said Haines.
To address this, the Task Force recommended forming a working group under the Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition to review data and create a coordinated process for effectively using prevention funds.
“Ocean County has a wealth of programs and services to assist our residents, whether through County programs or nonprofits, so it’s essential to have a coordinated prevention system working with both public agencies and also nonprofits,” Haines added.
Investments in Housing Stability
Since its creation in 2023, the Homelessness Trust Fund has supported initiatives such as emergency shelter development and a rapid rehousing program, which helps transition individuals from temporary housing into permanent homes. However, the Task Force emphasized that rental assistance programs are most effective when paired with case management services, which provide households with the tools and guidance needed to achieve long-term stability.
Community feedback gathered during focus groups highlighted the importance of pairing financial support with engagement and resource navigation to ensure individuals and families move successfully from homelessness to permanent housing.
Limitations and Opportunities
State guidelines prevent the trust fund from being used to build a homeless shelter. However, the funds have been directed toward other critical areas, such as prevention services and enhancing outreach efforts during the Code Blue program, which provides shelter to individuals during extreme cold weather events.
“These funds help in many other areas, including supportive services, prevention services, and also better engagement with homeless individuals seeking shelter during Code Blue to determine their needs and provide them with the services that can help them,” said Haines.
Progress and Future Steps
The Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force will continue its role in implementing the fund, which includes identifying funding priorities, measuring progress, and engaging stakeholders and community members. By focusing on prevention, expanding rental assistance, and fostering collaboration between public agencies and nonprofits, the Task Force aims to create a more effective and sustainable system to combat homelessness in Ocean County.
“As of December 2024, the fund has raised $420,000, and every dollar will stay in Ocean County to help those in need,” Haines said.