Bergen County Is First U.S. Community To End Chronic Homelessness

Bergen County has been certified as the first community in the United States to end long-term chronic homelessness.

County and federal officials made the announcement Tuesday afternoon at the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center.

Officials launched a collaborative effort to address and solve the problem of chronic homelessness in 2007. Qualifying individuals were placed in housing and at-risk individuals were offered permanent housing options.

The county participated in the Built for Zero initiative by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Officials created the $11 million Housing, Health and Human Service Center in 2009 to ensure at-risk individuals continual access to a place to stay and assistance with their healthcare needs and help getting permanent housing.

“Bergen County is proof that ending chronic homelessness is possible,” said Ann Oliva, HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. “We find that communities that come together in a coordinated fashion can offer permanent homes for our most vulnerable neighbors who have called the streets their home for far too long.”

HUD certified the county as the first community in the state to eliminate homelessness among veterans.

County officials identified 28 people experiencing chronic homelessness one on night in January 2015 That number dropped to 10 a year later.

By November of last year the number of people was down to fewer than three.

“This historic achievement was only possible through our caring and dedicated staff and our community partners,” said Bergen County Freeholder Chairwoman Tracy Zur. “It truly does take a village, and we will continue to work to provide our comprehensive continuum of care to sustain and build upon this progress to reduce and eliminate homelessness across other populations.”

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