Bergen County Housing, Health, & Human Services Center

HHH2
The Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center A Shared Project between the County of Bergen and the Housing Authority of Bergen County “A Collaborative Approach to Meeting Human Services Needs


tedesco                                             
James Tedesco III                                                                
County Executive                                                                  



MISSION
The mission of the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center is to end homelessness by providing a full continuum of housing services including homelessness prevention, temporary shelter, and permanent placement.

  • Serves as a one-stop location and single point of entry for individuals to receive information, care management, health and human services, and financial assistance.
  • Is open 24 hours per day throughout the year.
  • Is a key feature in the Bergen County Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, 2008 and is the foundation of a concentrated, community- Wide effort to permanent housing for people who are homeless.
HHH Policy and Procedures

SERVICE OVERVIEW 
The Center is designed to serve individual men and Women who are homeless, individuals and families who are precariously housed, and others who require linkage to community services.

Individuals and families who are not homeless, but need health and human services, are assisted to make direct Contact with agencies that can respond to their need.

EMERGENCY SHELTER
The Center has a 90-bed temporary shelter capacity, 62 of which are in bedrooms that accommodate from 2 to 8 individuals and 28 of which are dormitory style. In addition, there is a seasonal (December 15th­~March 14th) sit-up shelter for 15 individuals.

The Center receives referrals for temporary shelter from community agencies, religious institutions, and law enforcement agencies. Those referred to the Center may have a history of substance abuse, physical and mental health problems, ‘and unemployment, in addition to homelessness. Referral forms are required from Community-based programs such as hospitals, health centers, mental health centers, and the jail.

To apply for shelter, individuals may apply in person at:
120 South River Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 201-336-6475 Fax: 201-488-9298

HOUSING PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT
Efforts to place clients in permanent rental housing begin immediately following client assessment. Housing search assistance is provided to shelter guests through contract with Care Plus NJ.

Shelter based housing team provides service coordination & follow up.

The Center has established relationships with health and human service agencies to provide financial resources necessary to support housing placement or emergency financial assistance to individuals and families in proximate danger of becoming homeless.

NEXT STEP INITIATIVE
The Next Step Initiative (N S) offers life-improvement support for those who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or in other crisis situations, Next Step’s model blends professional staff, a corps of trained volunteers, and a team of social work interns to provide one-on-one case management.

Individuals are assessed for needs, and community based social services and resources are used to build or rebuild life skills and to provide crisis intervention.

Services are available daily: 9:30 am-l 1:00 am; 1:00 ptn-4:00 pm

WELLNESS PROGRAM
The Wellness Program provides health education, medication management and review, health screenings, and immunizations to shelter guests. It has transfer agreements for acute care.

Free confidential HIV counseling and testing are available for county and out of county residents:

Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri.: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Saturday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Last test is 45 minutes before closing.

MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided to guests of the temporary shelter. Lunch and dinner are provided daily for individuals and families at risk of homelessness who live in the community.
Lunch: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Dinner: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

CENTER PARTNERS
The Housing Authority of Bergen County provides administrative oversight and direct management of the continuum of services. The partner agencies are:
  • Bergen County Division of Community Development
    • Bergen County Continuum of Care 
  • Department of Health Services
    • Addiction Services
    • Division of Mental Health
  • Department of Human Services
  • Bergen County Homeless Trust Fund
  • Action/SSVF
  • Advanced Housing
  • Alliance Against Homelessness
  • Bergen County Sheriffs Office
  • Bergen County united Way
  • Care Plus NJ, Inc.
  • Christ Church Community Development Corporation
  • Comprehensive Behavioral Health Care
  • Family Promise of Bergen County
  • North Hudson Community
  • North Jersey Friendship House
  • Teach 4 Life
Other agencies provide services at the Center on a Weekly, bi-Weekly, or bi-monthly schedule. Agencies utilize available flexible office space.

  • Bergen Community College
  • Northeast Legal Services
  • Bergen County Board of Social Services
  • SoliderOn