Middlesex County is the lead entity for the Middlesex County Housing Continuum of Care Committee (MCHC3). MCHC3 is a collaborative body of service providers, consumers, funders, and advocates attempting to end homelessness in Middlesex County.  MCHC3 also acts as the local Continuum of Care (CoC) working closely with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to effectively and efficiently use federal dollars to benefit homeless individuals and families.

As a HUD requirement, MCHC3 has implemented a process called Coordinated Entry to prioritize homeless households for permanent housing opportunities.  This prioritization includes the completion of an assessment that factors in the length of homelessness, disabilities, and whether the household has been chronically homeless, and other criteria.

Coordinated Entry also has a similar process for the limited emergency shelter spaces.  This prioritization factors in whether the household is currently living in the street, car or another place not meant for human habitation; length of time homeless; and any disabilities.  Coordinated Entry for shelter is not unlike how a hospital runs its emergency department.  A person who is waiting with a sprained ankle and may be next in line to see a doctor will be bumped if a heart attack victim arrives by ambulance.  Similarly, on the shelter waiting list a person who is homeless, but living temporarily with friends, will have a lower priority than someone who is living in a car.

Coming Home of Middlesex County, Inc., which was a non-profit established specifically to work on ending homelessness in the county, is the administrator of the Coordinated Entry process for both shelter and permanent housing opportunities.  It oversees the Access Navigators, who do the initial screenings for shelter and also make referrals for permanent housing opportunities from the permanent housing prioritization list.

Ozanam Inn Men’s Shelter – (located in New Brunswick) This shelter operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, provides temporary and emergency lodging, meals, assistance with housing and employment, case management and referrals to homeless men.  While living in the shelter, program residents work with case manager to improve their earning capacity and obtain permanent housing.  Shelter placement is made only through an Access Navigator using the Coordinated Entry process or through the Middlesex County Board of Social Services (if you are eligible for those services.)

Ozanam Family Shelter – (located in Edison)  This shelter operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen,  provides shelter for 16 single women and 26 families.   Services include temporary and emergency lodging, meals, assistance with housing, employment and children's educational placement, case management and referrals.  While living in the shelter, program residents work with case managers to improve their earning capacity and obtain permanent housing.  Shelter placement is made only through an Access Navigator using the Coordinated Entry process or through the Middlesex County Board of Social Services (if you are eligible for those services.)

Women Aware Domestic Violence Shelter - Women Aware operates the only domestic violence emergency shelter in Middlesex County. Our 24-bed facility is staffed 24-hours/day, 365 days/year by multilingual case workers. Residents cook as a community in a fully equipped kitchen, and children play after school in the backyard and play room. Because victims often arrive with few possessions, Women Aware provides a fully stocked food and baby pantry, new clothing, clean linens, toiletries and school supplies, toys, and books for children.  Shelter placement is made through Women Aware by contacting them through their 24/7 hotline at 732-249-4504 or Toll-free at 833-249-4504.

These resources can include financial assistance (rental arrears, security deposits, short term rental assistance) and resources to maintain existing housing or financial assistance to obtain new housing.  Most programs will have some criteria include income limits or even the requirement to have an eviction filing.  The availability of services can change month to month based on the agency receiving additional funding or your situation changing and becoming more critical.  If you are a United States Veteran, please also see the specific Veterans Resources further below.

Catholic Charities Multi-Services Program– They operate the largest homeless prevention/rapid rehousing program in the county with multiple state and county funding sources.

https://ccdom.org/middlesex-homeless-prevention-rapid-re-housing  You can call them at 732-738-1323.  Please leave a message and they usually call back by the next business day

Garden State Home – They offer a Diversion program and also an Eviction Defense program.  You can send an online referral form for each through the below links or by calling 732-532-6865

https://www.gardenstatehome.org/eviction-defense

https://www.gardenstatehome.org/homelessness-diversion

PRAHD – They operate the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) funded by the State of NJ.  They also operate a program specifically for Perth Amboy residents.  https://www.prahd.org/rental-assistance/ or call them at 732-638-2870

Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing Corp. – They also offer a Diversion program.  Call them at 732-249-7349 and ask to speak with someone in the Homelessness Diversion program.

Middlesex County Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP) – This is a program created by the Board of County Commissioners to provide help with rental arrears, security deposit, and short-term rental assistance (usually just one month), to Middlesex County veteran households to maintain or obtain stable housing.  To learn more or apply, please call 732-745-5918

Community Hope, Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSFV) Program - A program helps veterans and their families with immediate support when facing homelessness by providing rapid re-housing to homeless veterans in addition to keeping veteran households from losing their housing when they are facing eviction.  They assist in the housing search; provide access to emergency housing when possible in the interim; intervene with landlords; provide support and case management services that can include assistance with medical care, mental health or substance abuse treatment, child care and job training.  Temporary financial assistance may also be available to help with such expenses as security deposits, back rent, utility payments or bedding and household essentials. To learn more, contact them at their referral hotline at 1-855-483-8466 or email SSVF@CommunityHope-NJ.org Their website is https://www.communityhope-nj.org/what-we-do/hope-for-veterans/supportive-services-for-veteran-families-ssvf/

Soldier On, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program – This outreach program aims to assist veterans and their families before they become homeless by providing in-home case management, referral services, and financial assistance for housing. To learn more, please call 1-866-406-8449 or 1-413-200-3013 or visit their website at  https://wesoldieron.org/supportive-services-for-veterans-families/

HUD-VASH Program (HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) – This program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics. For more information, you can call 908-647-0180 or visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/veterans.html   You can also contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 to be linked with a local provider.

If a veteran is in crisis and is considering harming themselves or others, please have them use the Veterans Crisis line by dialing 988 and pressing “1”.

If a veteran is homeless and need of assistance, please have them call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.

Catholic Charities PATH Program - The Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) is designed to assist mentally ill individuals who are homeless. The project provides assistance securing entitlements, mental health treatment and housing. Services are provided to clients in the community in train stations, hospital emergency rooms, shelters and soup kitchens, and include outreach case management for homeless individuals with serious mental illness. Services are available to those who have severe, persistent mental illness and who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. Clinical diagnosis of an accepted DSM illness is basis for diagnostic criteria. Services provided for one year with goal of linkage to mental health services and housing opportunities. For more information, please call 732-738-1323 or visit their website at https://ccdom.org/middlesex-project-for-assistance-in-transition-from-homelessness

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care PATH Program – Rutgers UBHC operates this program for severely and persistently mentally ill adults (ages 18 and over) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Middlesex County.  Referrals are accepted from outpatient or inpatient providers, social service agencies, homeless shelters, soup kitchens; particular emphasis on those without mental health services. Individuals seeking service can refer themselves as well.  Service Provided include outreach, linkage to mental health and other supportive services that are geared towards the maintenance of housing and acquisition of independent living skills while optimizing success in community settings. For more information and to access a referral form, please visit https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/clinical/community/community-based-programs.xml and select PATH.

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)  Program (only in New Brunswick) – Rutgers UBHC operates this program to serve individuals identified through collaboration with law enforcement and community-based referrals to connect New Brunswick adult residents in crisis into services, including treatment and recovery opportunities.  Services including community based case management, recovery support, and clinical mental health, substance use disorder services and/or poverty into a long-term system of care.  While not specifically limited to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, it does include this population. For more information and to access a referral form, please visit https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/clinical/community/community-based-programs.xml and select Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)

The Center for Support, Success & Prosperity (Raritan Bay Area YMCA) – This initiative provides a drop-in center location in the City of Perth Amboy for persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access services and connect to resources.  Services provided include meals, distribution of clothing & hygiene kits; access to hot showers; connections to access temporary/emergency shelter and rental assistance; transportation to medical or social service appointments and linkages to other resources.  The Center is located at 392 Smith Street, Perth Amboy and can also be reached by calling 732-771-9910.  More information is available at https://www.rbaymca.org/main/the-center-for-support-success-prosperity/

Code Blue – when the temperature is expected to be below freezing and the conditions pose a threat to unsheltered people, the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will declare a Code Blue.   Municipal OEMs will deploy their Code Blue plans, which may include the opening of warming centers to ensure people are not staying outdoors during cold or inclement weather.  Please call 211 for more information on whether a Code Blue has been called and how you can access services or visit their Code Blue website at: https://nj211.org/njcodeblue or contact your local municipality.

City of New Brunswick Dignity Center – The City of New Brunswick offers showers and access to restrooms on a “first come, first served” basis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Memorial Stadium, Joyce Kilmer Avenue (behind New Brunswick Middle School), from 8:30am – 10:30am and 12pm – 2pm.  Towels, washcloths, hygiene kids and more are provided.  For more information, contact 732-246-5353 or see https://cms2.revize.com/revize/brunswicknj/Dignity%20Center%20Poster.jpg

City of New Brunswick Day Center (Urban Health Collaborative) – This program has space for 15 seated guests and will be open Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 3pm at the Urban Health Collaborative center at 24 Kirkpatrick Street, New Brunswick.  For more information, please call 732-419-7195 or see https://cms2.revize.com/revize/brunswicknj/Day%20Center.jpg

Elijah’s Promise Meal Services – This non-profit provides one hot and one bagged meal to-go per guest at their New Brunswick location, every Monday – Saturday, from 11:00am – 12:30pm.   Their location is 18 Neilson Street, New Brunswick.  In addition, they have a mobile meal program that service over 5,000 meals per month to highly food insecure neighbors who can’t get to the Community Soup Kitchen.  They also have a Social Services team that assists clients with connections to housing assistance, medical services, counseling, and SNAP (food stamp) enrollment.  Elijah’s Promise also offers on-site services including health and vision screening, flu shots, and HIV/AIDS prevention & testing and operates the Promise Culinary School, a state-certified vocational school and job-training provider to train students in work in the food service industry.  For more information about any of their programs, please contact 732-545-9002 or visit their website at  https://elijahspromise.org/

REPLENISH, the Middlesex County Food Bank – Collaborates with their network of dedicated partners to establish food security for residents by providing nutritious, culturally relevant foods and nurturing community connections. Visit their Need Food Assistance page for information like hours of operations and eligibility requirements of local food pantries.

PRAB Home Energy Assistance (HEA) Programs – PRAB assists eligible Middlesex County residents in applying for benefits to lower their energy costs through the following programs:

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for heating & electric bills
• Universal Service Fund (USF) for monthly credits on gas or electric bills
• Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE) for households over-income for LIHEAP/USF may qualify for a grant up to $750 to address balance owed
• Emergency Assistance for people with high balances and/or shut off notices

For more information on how to apply, call 732-832-7535, ext. 111 or email hea@prab.org or visit their offices, Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm, at 313 State St, Perth Amboy, NJ, Suite 301, or 754 Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ, Suite 202 or visit their website at https://www.prab.org/programs-services/housing-services/ and select “Home Energy Assistance Programs”