A Homeless Count for Monmouth County This Week

Monmouth County will be working with a host of non-profit organizations in an effort to get an idea on the number of homeless people who reside within its borders this week. Project Homeless Connect is taking place this Wednesday after being postponed because of last week's storm.

Freeholder John Curley said citizens without permanent housing or who are at risk of homelessness are encouraged to visit any one of six locations.

"A team of volunteers and county staff will be participating and meeting people here in Monmouth County who are homeless or at risk of being homeless and encouraging them to seek the services and the resources that we have here in the county," said Curley.

Mobile outreach sites include:

• Asbury Park, Jersey Shore Rescue Mission from 9 am to 2 pm
• Freehold, Feed All God's Children (Soup Kitchen) from 10 am to 1 pm
• Keansburg, St. Mark's Community Center from 9 am to 1 pm
• Long Branch, Meals at Noon from 10:30 am to 2 pm
• Neptune, Chant at 9 am to 1 pm
• Red Bank, at 9 am to 2 pm

"Those who participate will be asked to provide information and will be offered food and clothing and various services including free health screenings and employment services," said Curley.

The count is part of the annual Point and Time Survey, a nationwide effort driven by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in an effort to get a  snapshot of the number of homeless to help determine program funding levels. Statewide, the event is being coordinated by the non-profit Monarch Housing Associates.

For more information about Project Homeless Connect contact the Monmouth County Department of Human Services at 732-683-2102.