In an effort to bring immediate relief to chronically homeless Newark residents, Mayor Ras Baraka and the Newark Housing Authority have designated 200 public housing units as transitional housing.
The city is investing capital funds for renovations and working with the Newark Housing Authority to activate the units for this new program.
And they are acting quickly.
This initiative’s first fifteen chronically homeless Newark residents recently transitioned from emergency shelters throughout the city to the newly renovated and furnished ‘Path Home’ units.
Baraka said the impact was overwhelming.
“It was heartwarming to welcome the first cohort of residents from emergency shelter into transitional housing and give them solid footing on their path to permanent housing and independent, self-sufficiency,” he said.
“Newark is a city that realizes some of us need a helping hand to keep life on an upward trajectory, and we extend that hand to each other in a gesture of supportive inclusivity. I’m grateful for our partnership with the Newark Housing Authority. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in ‘The Path Home’ program. And I’m thrilled for these residents who are overcoming significant barriers to carve out a home for themselves and a foundation for freedom.”
This groundbreaking innovation creates a direct pathway to stability for Newark residents who are among the most vulnerable in our community. Their prolonged homelessness is accompanied by a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability.
The city of Newark’s office of homeless services, with resources and staff from Bridges Outreach and other community partners, will provide supportive services, including housing navigation, behavioral health counseling and treatment, financial assistance, and other assistance that afford recipients a strong plan and pathway to a successful, independent future.
“Expanding housing opportunities for the City’s chronically homeless is one of the critical strategies of the mayor’s homelessness strategic plan,” Office of Homeless Services Director Luis Ulerio said. “This groundbreaking initiative is proof that we can align existing partners and resources to create access to new housing models and services that will help us continue to make progress in reducing homelessness in our city.”
NHA Executive Director Leonard Spicer agreed.
“The Newark Housing Authority is committed to doing everything it can to help address the number of unhoused families in Newark,” he said. “‘The Path Home’ is yet another innovative partnership with the City of Newark under the leadership of Mayor Baraka. We look forward to continuing this work together.”
Bridges Outreach President Richard Uniacke said his group is eager to continue to do whatever it takes to help moving forward.
“The City of Newark’s Office of Homeless Services, with resources and staff from Bridges Outreach, Inc., will provide supportive services, including housing navigation, behavioral health counseling and treatment, financial assistance, and other assistance that afford recipients a strong plan and pathway to a successful, independent future,” Uniacke said.
