| JON S. CORZINE Governor |
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| For Immediate Release: | For More Information: |
| Date: September 8, 2009 | Robert Corrales Phone: 609-777-2600 |
"The two bills signed today, combined, further advance core priorities during this past budget year: providing for the most vulnerable, and those hit hardest by the global recession," Governor Corzine said. "The issue of homelessness and hunger is always of particular concern, especially in challenging economic times. I remain proud and inspired by the willingness of New Jerseyans to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate and the most vulnerable in our society."
Governor Corzine launched the New Jersey Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan in 2008, which laid the ground work to expedite strategic and collaborated efforts to set in motion short- and long-term growth projects and human services initiatives in New Jersey.
The first of the two bills, A-3101/S2354, authorizes county governments to create county homelessness prevention trust funds and authorizes county-operated programs to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families. The bill would also require the creation of a County Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force.
Under the bill, counties that have created a county homelessness trust would be able to collaborate with another county that has established such a trust fund as well in order to provide joint funding for projects permitted under the bill. Counties that create a homelessness prevention trust fund will be required to use the fund solely for the operation of a homelessness housing grant program that meets the bill requirements. Additionally, counties will be permitted to impose a surcharge of $3 on each document recorded by the county clerk for deposit into the ‘homelessness' trust fund.
Monies deposited into a ‘homelessness' trust fund would be required to be spent within four years of collection; remaining unspent monies after four years would be transferred to the state's Department of Community Affairs (DCA). DCA would be required to contract for homeless services in that county of the type authorized to be funded under the bill.
"The number of homeless, in New Jersey - especially women and children - is unacceptably high and may go even higher as more families face the very real and scary prospect of losing their homes due to sudden economic hardship," said Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). "State and local governments must work together to provide more funding and better services to provide access to affordable housing and ensure families have another option to living in a shelter or on the street."
"Helping the hopeless is at the very core of what government should be about, and this new law provides a helping hand to those folks who have nowhere else to turn," said Senator Dana Redd, (D-Camden, Gloucester). "At a time when the economy is struggling, many hard-working State residents are slipping through the cracks, unable to keep their heads above water. By authorizing counties to create a trust fund to assist the homeless, we are throwing those people a life preserver in their time of greatest need."
The creation of county homelessness trust funds will provide some of the additional funds necessary to move homeless or formerly homeless individuals toward the goal of permanent affordable housing and self-sufficiency.
"Through this law, we're allowing counties to partner with municipal social service agencies and non-profit community activists to provide real support and assistance to homeless people living within their borders," said Senator Jim Beach, (D-Camden). "This bill mixes compassion with common sense, recognizing that no one agency or organization can do it alone, and creates a seamless safety net for the homeless population living in the Garden State. I'd like to thank Governor Corzine for maintaining his commitment to helping the most vulnerable, and for making a statement that in tough economic times, no one should be left behind."
"In today's economy even people who work hard and play by the rules can find themselves homeless through no fault of their own," said Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden, Gloucester). "I am excited that we are empowering counties to help New Jerseyans put a dependable roof over their heads."
"The measure does more than reduce homelessness," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer). "It also supports those on the precipice of being homeless, which is why I'm especially enthusiastic about the supportive services that will help families at risk of becoming homeless."
The second bill, A2513/S2430, gives New Jersey residents the opportunity to make voluntary contributions on their tax returns in support of community food pantries and for pet neutering in addition to existing fund allocations.
Specifically, the bill establishes the "Community Food Pantry Fund" and the "Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund" in the state's Department of Treasury and allows taxpayers to donate a portion of their income tax refunds, or to make other voluntary contributions, to those funds by indicating on their New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of their tax refund, or an enclosed contribution, is to be deposited into either fund.
Under the "Community Food Pantry Fund" bill, the Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited into the fund to the state's Department of Agriculture for distribution to community food pantries through the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP). In addition, the Department of Agriculture would be required to collaborate with the state's Department of Human Services to fulfill this mandate. All ‘community food pantry' funds received by food pantries shall be used exclusively for the purchase of food.
Since 2007, Governor Corzine has made feeding the hungry of New Jersey a priority. The "Governor's Hunger Initiative" has included funding in the state budget for SFPP allocation for the distribution of funds for the purchase of healthy and nutritious foods to feed people affected by hunger.
Additionally, in December 2008, Governor Corzine signed legislation to boost State aid to food banks under the SFPP initiative by $3 million in addition to the $4 million already allocated in the state's FY 2009 budget, and the state's FY 2010 budget also includes $3 million for the state's food purchase initiative.
"The global economic meltdown means hunger isn't being limited to the poor," said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen). "New Jersey is a generous state, and we can and should make it easier to spread that generosity and do whatever we can to ensure no one in this state goes to bed hungry."
Through the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP), funds are distributed to the six regional Emergency Feeding Operations (EFOs) food throughout the state. The food banks use SFPP funds to buy nutrient-rich foods from local farmers and farmer cooperatives during growing season and then distribute those items to their network of 793 food pantries, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens.
"More and more people are struggling just to get by," said Assemblywoman Elease Evans (D-Passaic) "The combination of higher grocery bills and a colder winter could push some over the brink. We can't let that happen. Everyone deserves to be able to feed their family."
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