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Jasey, Caputo, O’Donnell & Vainieri Huttle Legislative Package to Ensure Adequate Shelter for Homeless Population Now Law

(TRENTON) – A two-bill legislative package sponsored by Assembly Democrats Mila Jasey, Ralph Caputo, Jason O’Donnell and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to ensure emergency shelters provide shelter for individuals who are homeless, including those with mental illnesses who pose no safety threat to themselves or others has been signed into law.

The first law (A-2937), sponsored by Jasey, Caputo, O’Donnell and Vainieri Huttle, prohibits emergency shelters for the homeless from refusing to provide shelter, or food and shelter, for a minimum of 72 hours, to an individual or family seeking theses services, unless the shelter is at its licensed capacity or the basis for refusal is otherwise authorized by law or regulation.

“Right now emergency shelters can only provide shelter for less than 24 hours, which means an individual that is homeless only has hours before they’re right back on the street,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris). “Extending the minimum stay to 72 hours gives them a couple more days of comfort. If there is capacity, then there is no reason to turn away a person who has no where else to go.”

“The economy has made bad situations worse for many people who unable to find work have suddenly found themselves homeless after losing their homes,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “For people in this situation, an extra couple of days of shelter can really help as they make other arrangements.”

“Homelessness affects not just individuals, but families. I cannot imagine what it must be like to not have a home to go to, especially when there are children involved,” said O’Donnell (D-Hudson). “If there is room, then we should be able to provide these families with the shelter they need.”

“I understand space concerns, but if there are still beds available to accommodate people a little longer, then I don’t see any reason not to,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “These emergency shelters not only provide a roof over their heads, but assistance that can help them get back on their feet.”

The second law (A-2938), sponsored by Jasey, Caputo and O’Donnell, prohibits emergency shelters for the homeless from refusing to admit an individual based on a perception or belief that the person has a mental illness, unless there is a reasonable basis to believe that the person poses a danger to self, others, or property, or if the basis for the refusal is otherwise authorized by law or regulation.

“Sadly, homelessness and mental health issues often go hand in hand,” said Jasey. “Turning people away because of a mental illness that poses no threat to others only exacerbates the problem.”

“These emergency shelters are for people who are homeless. A mental illness that does not pose a safety threat to others should never be used against anyone in need of shelter,” said Caputo.

“People with mental illness are stigmatized enough,” said O’Donnell. “If these individuals are not a danger to themselves to others, they should not be denied a service that is meant to help them.”