Governor Kim Guadagno Announces $285,000 Grant to Support Salvation Army’s Perth Amboy Transitional Residence and Homeless Shelter
Expansion and Safety Improvements Will Improve Living Conditions for Shelter’s Residents
Trenton, NJ – December 6, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Continuing the Christie Administration’s Season of Service outreach to those in need, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today visited the Salvation Army Perth Amboy Corp to announce that the organization has been awarded a $285,152 shelter support grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
This grant will enable the Salvation Army to make needed improvements to its transitional residence and emergency shelter for homeless men at 433 State Street in Perth Amboy. The facility plans to expand the number of shelter beds, make building safety improvements, and purchase equipment, furnishings and vans to improve living conditions for shelter residents.
“The Salvation Army is an invaluable lifeline to individuals who are homeless and without someone to turn to for help,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “Their selfless efforts provide vitally needed support and hope to so many who are vulnerable or in crisis. These funds will enable the Salvation Army here in Perth Amboy to continue and expand its critical work, helping more of central New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents secure housing and transition to independence.”
The transitional residence, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Veterans Administration, includes eleven beds for eligible homeless male veterans and seven beds for other homeless males. Residents receive meals and case management support and are taught how to manage their money.
The emergency shelter operates during the cold weather months and remains open until early spring, offers meals and is supervised by trained and licensed professionals.
“The Salvation Army has been providing basic services to the homeless and hungry in New Jersey since the late 1800’s,” said Brenda Beavers, State Director Human Services for the Salvation Army. “Our current homeless services in Perth Amboy are an extension of that commitment to homeless men and veterans in the greater Middlesex county area. This grant will allow us to improve the quality of service and enhanced opportunities for self- sufficiency for some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable citizens.”
The DCA recently awarded $4.03 million in shelter support grants to 28 nonprofit and local government agencies operating emergency homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities in New Jersey. Grant funds will address building code violations and safety issues, create additional bed space and support existing beds in homeless shelters and transitional housing. The grants seek to improve living conditions for homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence and military veterans.
Funding for the grants is a combination of state appropriation and money from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants are administered through the DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources.
Today’s event in Perth Amboy is part of the Christie Administration’s second annual Season of Service. Last year, Cabinet members participated in approximately 60 events across the state — from serving meals on wheels to shut-ins and helping to serve and stock food pantries to stuffing care packages for military service members overseas and holiday letter writing to troops abroad to collecting and delivering coats to homeless shelters.
Governor Christie has emphasized the importance of community service since his inaugural in 2010. Today, approximately 1.5 million New Jerseyans contribute about 170 million hours of service each year, bringing a positive influence to neighborhoods and communities throughout the Garden State through local groups, houses of worship and civic organizations.
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Press Contact:
Ernest Landante
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