The center is designed to serve individual men and women who are homeless, individuals and families who are precariously housed, and others who require linkage to community services.

Individuals and families who are not homeless, but need health and human services are assisted to make direct contact with agencies that can respond to their need.

Temporary Shelter

The center has a 90-bed temporary shelter capacity, 62 of which are in bedrooms that accommodate from two to eight individuals, and 28 are dormitory style. In addition, there is a seasonal (December 15 to March 14) sit-up shelter for 15 individuals.

The center receives referrals for temporary shelter from community agencies, religious institutions, and law enforcement agencies. Those referred to the center may have a history of substance abuse, physical and mental health problems, and unemployment, in addition to homelessness. Referral forms are required from community-based programs such as hospitals, health centers, mental health centers, and the jail.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided to guests of the temporary shelter. Lunch and dinner are provided daily for individuals and families at risk of homelessness who live in the community.

• Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Dinner: 4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Housing Placement and Support

Efforts to place clients in permanent rental housing begin immediately following client assessment. The center maintains relationships with real estate agents and landlords for placement. When a housing placement is arranged a neighborhood based team provides service coordination and follow-up.

The center is establishing relationships with health and human service agencies to provide financial resources necessary to support housing placement or emergency financial assistance to individuals and families in proximate danger of becoming homeless.

Wellness Program

The Wellness Program provides testing and immunizations for guests who are staying at the center.

Next Step Initiative

The Next Step Initiative (NS) offers life-improvement support for those who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or in other crisis situations. NS’s model blends professional staff, a corps of trained volunteers, and a team of social work interns to provide one-on-one case management. Individuals are assessed for needs, and community-based social services and resources are used to build or rebuild life skills and to provide crisis intervention.

Services are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Center Partners

In January of 2008, the county executive called on all county departments to work together to end chronic homelessness, using a housing first model. The Bergen County Department of Human Services and the Bergen County Division of Community Development provide leadership and oversight to keep the vision alive. The Housing Authority of Bergen County provides administrative oversight and direct management of the continuum of services.
The partner agencies are:

• Bergen County Department of Health Services
• Care Plus NJ, Inc.
• Family Promise of Bergen County
• North Jersey Friendship House

Many other agencies provide services at the center on a weekly, bi-weekly, or bi-monthly schedule. Agencies utilize available flexible office space.