2008 has been particularly eventful for the DACKKs Group and groups that advocate for the homeless.
On the local front, we were able to move our first Links II Project tenant into a one bedroom condominium in Hackensack we purchased in February. LINKs II is a project that will house five chronically homeless disabled adults in one bedroom apartments scattered throughout Bergen County. Once again, the invaluable support and hard work of our volunteers on many fronts allowed us to furnish, decorate and fully equip this condominium. Because of your generous efforts, in May, a chronically homeless man was able to leave behind his years spent on the street and couch-surfing. Consistent with the DACKKs Group mission, he is paying 30 percent of income toward his housing costs. A State Rental Assistance Voucher (SRAP) we received will subsidize these costs while Advance Housing will provide the support services needed to help our newest tenant build a productive life in the community.
On a broader front, on July 30, I joined over 200 colleagues at the Second Annual Congressional Reception in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness. In addition to Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, several New Jersey congressmen attended and spoke at the event. This year's meeting was remarkably timely as the House Financial Services Committee unanimously voted on July 31 to reauthorize HUD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants. This bi-partisan legislation is critical to continuing the federal government's programs that address homelessness. The next step comes this fall when the reauthorization bill, HR 840 – the HEARTH Act, comes before the floor. Please join us in urging Congressman Garrett and his colleagues to vote in favor of the Act. For more information on the Reception and advocacy efforts for the homeless in New Jersey, visit Monarch Housing.
The Reception also highlighted results from January's Point In Time survey of homelessness in New Jersey. According to the 2008 Point in Time Count (PITC):
A subset of the homeless population is those who are chronically homeless, the group targeted by the LINKs II Project. HUD describes a chronically homeless citizen as an unaccompanied adult with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more or has had at least four homeless episodes in the past three years. When this group was asked to name factors that contributed to their homelessness:
·
For these individuals, the combination of a place to call home and support from social service agencies is life-changing. Today's uncertain economy of spiraling food and gas prices only heightens the value of supportive housing to those who face physical and mental struggles every day. For complete data, check out this year's PITC.
Here is a snapshot of other recent happenings:
Most important, mark your calendar for our seventh annual event, Wine and Food: a Perfect Pairing, on Monday, November 17 at Seasons in Washington Township. Join us to celebrate our achievements during the past year in this evening of good wine, good food and good company. Once again, the festivities will include a tricky tray and silent auction. This year we will honor the Allendale Woman's Club as our Volunteer of the Year.
As we enter our ninth year, we are looking for four more properties to fulfill our LINKs II commitment to house four chronically homeless disabled adults. I look forward to sharing our latest progress with you in November!
Karen E. Amy
President
August 2008