Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Wednesday unveiled a strategic plan to end chronic homelessness in the city.
“Housing is the number one problem that we all face and all other issues and social determinants develop from a lack of housing, lack of quality and affordable housing, lack of shelter, period, for people,” Baraka said when announcing the plan, known as “The Path Home.” The plan calls for parlaying state, local and private sector financial support to build more affordable housing, more shelters and, significantly, to provide services.
Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said, “We’re waiting for word from the federal government because we have asked them for permission to use $10 million of our American Rescue Plan funding to build a drop-in center near Penn Station — a 24-hour operation — where folks could come, not to just get off the street, but we will have an array of providers that will be there, be it Medicaid, Medicare, to see who’s eligible for a variety of programs.”
