Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio today provided an update on the progress being made as part of the County’s 10 year plan to end homelessness.
“You will remember, that earlier this year I spoke about the urgent need to find permanent housing for those Burlington County residents who have fallen on hard times,” said Director Garganio, “As a County we have made it our priority to end the vicious cycle that has far too many children growing up in motels and lacking the support and stability necessary for success.”
“I am happy to announce that we will be going out to bid for an initiative that will make Burlington County the only county in the state to develop a program that reallocates emergency assistance dollars for permanent housing and case management,” Garganio continued. “This means that rather than living from motel to motel, individuals and families in Burlington County in need of housing will not only be placed into a permanent housing opportunity but will also be provided with the assistance necessary to become self-reliant. This is, without a doubt, a major step in ending homelessness in Burlington County.”
Freeholder Director Garganio also noted that the ongoing 10 year plan to end homelessness maintains, “a commitment to preventing homelessness whenever possible. Making Burlington County an affordable place to live and a prosperous place to work can both prevent residents from falling into the dire straits that lead to homelessness and help pull people out of it.”
“As always, I will continue to hold all of us accountable for progress and will update the public regularly as we work aggressively to provide stability and assistance to as many of our residents as we can,” Garganio concluded.
Those residents seeking assistance should contact the County’s one stop Human Services Department located at 795 Woodlane Road in Westampton or by phone at 609-265-5800.