Attempt To Count Morris County's Homeless Begins Next Week

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – A countywide effort will take place this month to count how many homeless residents are currently in Morris County.

The day-long count will take place Wednesday, Jan. 27 as part of the state-wide Point-In-Time count of homeless and at-risk of being homeless individuals and families.

According to the county, for those without shelter it will include a survey of homeless persons living on the street, in cars, under highway and train overpasses, and any other place not meant for human habitation.

The results of the survey will be used to see how the county can help better understand the cause of homelessness, determine service and housing needs, and to obtain federal funding to aid the homeless, said Laurie Becker, Mental Health Administrator and Director of the Division of Community and Behavioral Health Services for Morris County.

In 2015, the results concluded:

Statistics provided for Morris County last year by NJ Counts 2015 Point-In‐Time, showed;

• 384 persons, in 273 households, were experiencing homelessness in Morris County. That was a decrease of 5 persons and 27 households from 2014.
• Morris County had 3.8 percent of New Jersey’s statewide homeless population.
• 42 households, with 52 persons, were identified as chronically homeless.
• 34 unsheltered homeless persons were counted.
• 59 percent (227) of homeless persons were male, and 41 percent (157) were female.
• Among those who experienced homelessness during the night of the count, 46 percent had no source of income.
• Most common sources of income were General Assistance, Earned Income and SSI.
• Loss or reduction of job income, domestic violence and substance abuse were among the major contributing to homelessness.
• 52 percent of homeless persons reported having some type of disability. The most prevalent disabilities were substance abuse disorders and mental health issues.