Ocean County Leader

Ocean County is preparing for the upcoming Code Blue winter season with additional funding from the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund. The fund's Advisory Council recently approved an appropriation of $35,815 to support the Code Blue program, which provides warming centers for homeless individuals.

"When we created this trust fund in 2023, one of the key uses for the money was to help fund the Code Blue program which provides overnight warming centers for the homeless when temperatures fall below freezing," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea. "These centers also provide resources and services needed to put our residents back on the road to self-sufficiency. This is an important step by the Trust Fund's Task Force that will help our residents."

The new funds will supplement $225,000 appropriated by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and $130,000 from the New Jersey Division of Family Development, bringing the total budget for this season to nearly $400,000.

Crea emphasized that a dedicated county-owned facility would ensure sufficient beds at warming centers during Code Blue periods. "At this time, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners is formalizing its plan for the Code Blue season. And I want to emphasize this – I assure you we will have enough beds to take care of Ocean County's homeless during this winter's Code Blue season," she said. "I will release additional details of our plan once it has been formalized which will be very soon."

The plan is expected to be presented to the Board of Commissioners by mid-October. The county anticipates that its facility can accommodate 30 to 50 people.

"Working with Director Crea, our Department of Human Services and a host of agencies that work diligently to help our residents, we believe anyone needing access assistance in the upcoming Code Blue season will be able to do so," said Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, liaison to the Department of Human Services.

Sadeghi noted that based on responses from partnering agencies so far, at least 150 code blue beds are anticipated across five warming centers including a dedicated county-owned facility.

During last winter’s highest use period, 85 beds were occupied per night—55 percent of countywide capacity. Factoring in a projected 30 percent increase in need for this coming season requires a minimum peak capacity of 110 beds.

"We believe the anticipated available beds for 2024-2025 will adequately address projected Code Blue needs," Crea stated. "It's imperative people have a safe place to go in winter and at the same time access help they need."

The Code Blue activation period runs from November 1 through March 31 with heightened risk between December and February.

Crea highlighted that funding from last year's Homelessness Trust Fund approval is now aiding efforts toward assisting homeless populations in Ocean County.

A $5 surcharge applied on most recorded instruments with Ocean County Clerk’s Office deposits into this Trust Fund; $2 goes directly towards supporting Code Blue programs as per state guidelines preventing usage for building shelters but allowing other supportive services.

"These funds will now help in many other areas including supportive services, prevention services, and also better engagement with homeless individuals seeking accommodations during Code Blue," she added.

She acknowledged contributions made by representatives within communities who form part of implementing strategies via Task Force: "These individuals are helping advance efforts helping needy vulnerable populations within federal state requirements existing programs fail covering."