RELEASE: September 25, 2002

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"While most think of Human Services as the "people" Department, the issue of "housing" is a pressing factor for all of our consumers," Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris will tell conference attendees. "Whether it’s affordable housing… housing near enough to transportation for job training and work sites, in order to get off welfare… or housing that accommodates special needs citizens… our Department is deeply involved in issues of shelter for the most vulnerable members of our population."

Commissioner Harris will serve as a moderator and panelist in a workshop entitled "Issues and Goals in Providing Affordable Housing for People with Disabilities." Other "Service Enriched Housing" workshops will deal with 1) obstacles, financing mechanisms and funding sources for senior assisted living consumers who are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, VA, and long-term Care Insurance… and 2) the housing needs and services available for New Jerseyans suffering from serious mental illness, estimated as high as 5% of the total population.

Commissioner Harris sees the Governor’s Conference as another way to showcase to community, corporate, development and financial leaders her new initiative to deliver more in-home services to people with developmental disabilities, while continuing to develop housing… such as group homes… and other mainstreaming opportunities for people with disabilities.

DHS housing issues touch such populations as the welfare population, aging out youth who are no longer covered by Department of Education special education funding, victims of domestic violence, and people with disabilities, either transitioning from institutional care to group homes or to in-home services with their families.

Program registration is free for members of the media.

WHEN: Thursday, September 25 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday, September 26 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHO: Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris, Department of Human Services

NOTE: Commissioner Harris is a member of the NJ Housing Mortgage Finance Agency Board. NJHMFA is a co-sponsor of the conference, along with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

WHERE: Atlantic City Convention Center, Kirkman Boulevard & North Michigan Avenue, Atlantic City