Homeless Population Increases In Summit, City Launches Joint Effort

SUMMIT, NJ — As Summit's homeless population continues to grow in the cold, winter months, city officials and local organizations are coming together to address the problem.

Mayor Nora Radest hosted a Facebook Live with Reverend Robin Tanner from Beacon Unitarian Universalist congregation to discuss increased concerns about homelessness and food insecurity in Summit.

Radest said she has heard a lot from residents, and has observed herself, that there is a growing number of homeless individuals living at the train station and local bus stops.

As a result, Radest has created a working group, that includes members of the local faith communities, Atlantic Health, as well as organizations like Bridges, SHIP, GRACE and Summit Warm Hearts, in order to provide a plethora of services to unhoused residents in the city.

Summit Warm Hearts

Reverend Tanner explained that Summit Warm Hearts is offering two programs for homeless folks in the community.

The first is a day program, where individuals receive a warm meal and a warm place to stay in the afternoon. This program runs year-round and takes place at Beacon Unitarian from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

The second program is the overnight program, which Tanner said "really kicks into high gear this time of year."

"We have seen our number of participants in the program triple," Tanner said.

Currently, about 33 individuals are taking advantage of Summit Warm Hearts' overnight program, which is sponsored by the faith communities throughout Summit. Shelters rotate amongst three houses of worship — St. John's Lutheran, Fountain Baptist Church and Christ Church.

This program runs from Nov. 15 to March 15.

Read more: How Local Organizations Are Addressing Homelessness In Summit

A Joint Effort

"Homelessness is a very serious issue, but what we're doing with Summit Warm Hearts is a short-term solution," Radest explained. "The goal here is to help folks who may need medical help [or] mental help, and they need a place to live."

Radest said the working group will help to get people connected with medical and mental health services, as well as connect with a case worker.

Tanner said by taking a wholistic approach, the city can help people find more longterm solutions.

"A train station is no place for folks to be able to even consider the longterm solutions," Tanner said. "Now that we are able to provide that shelter, provide a safe space, folks are better able to have these conversations around longterm plans for much more stable housing."

How You Can Help

Tanner explained that the meals at Summit Warm Hearts are provided by a group of volunteers coordinated by GRACE, but they are in need of more volunteers.

More urgently, Tanner said Warm Hearts needs more money for the overnight program. She said it costs around $2,500 per week in order to run the program,

A GoFundMe has been set up by Summit Interfaith Council to raise money for the night program.

"It's a problem for everyone within the community, and I think we all can step up, make a donation to the GoFundMe page and dig in," Radest said.

Radest emphasized that a joint effort is in place to address this issue, and the Police Department, Fire and EMS squad are also involved.

You can view the entire Facebook Live event on the city's Facebook page.