Nearly 13,000 people are experiencing homelessness in New Jersey, according to the latest annual point in time count.
In Newark, teams are now working every hour of every day as part of a new program to reach the most vulnerable and offer them everything from a warm meal to a warm bed.
Raven Santana went into the streets with three workers to see firsthand how they're helping, especially during these chilly nights.
The top two causes of homelessness in New Jersey are being asked to leave a shared residence and eviction.
They're not substance use disorder.
They're not mental health.
Richard Uniacke is the president of Bridges Outreach.
The nonprofit works to prevent and end experience of homelessness.
The organization uses street outreach, where they provide intensive case management focused around a permanent, stable housing solution.
Whether it's an individual or a family, according to the annual point in time count in 2024.
Uniacke says Essex County has the most vulnerable population.
Essex County is by far the number one county with respect to people experiencing homelessness or or facing imminent homelessness in New Jersey and Newark is always approaching 90% of that.
Typically, Newark has more people experiencing homelessness than any other county.
That's why the city announced the official launch of an expanded street outreach program 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
They go out to have a conversation with people on the street.
They talk to them multiple times over and over and over again.
They know where they are, where they stay, what they like, what they don't like.
They build relationships with these folks.
And so finally they say, I want help.
The street outreach shifts are split into three, four, two, 12, 12, two, eight and 824.
Brenda Myrick, Dominic Alford and Judith Lasso were on the 4 p.m. shift when I joined them for a ride along.
We got to see just how the program works and who they're serving during a code blue when cities open up resources due to extreme cold weather.
It's a busy night.
We're trying to get people off the street.
I just got a call by a senior citizen in the eighties.
Need a place to stay.
So we had to try to convince her to go on to a shelter program.
After securing a bed for her, we went to pick up 85 year old Ollie Waters.
However, I guess the one thing going on the boat to.
So they fed me a lot of nights.
They took me to my shelter.
A lot of nights they gave me one clothes, blankets.
Well, this is just one of those 12 stops that each team makes on those three different shifts where they hand out a variety of items, clothing to hand warmers, and even transport those who need it to warming centers.
They are here morning, noon and night.
They ride around, you see, they give to staff or hat, gloves or whatever the case may be.
In route to different hotspots.
The team constantly pulls aside when they see any makeshift encampments and people huddled on side streets.
How long have you been on shelter?
Two years now.
And why?
Because every problem there is housing.
I went to welfare and it didn't work out for me.
Where are you headed now, Joe?
So I'm going to be headed back to business.
Okay.
Right up by little spots where I sleep outside.
Okay.
But we'll put it.
Back in tonight.
Yeah.
I appreciate it, though.
Well, not everyone takes to help or bed on some of the coldest nights.
The team says the important part of their job is to continue making connections.
So eventually they can help more individuals find stable housing, leaving one less person unsheltered.
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