G.I. Go Fund recognizes HUD New Jersey Director, staff for housing; advocacy for homeless veterans

Photo: Bottom row: HUD NJ FHEO Enforcement Marilyn Boddy. Bergen County Housing, Health & Human Services Center Director Julia Orlando; HUD NJ FHEO Program Compliance Chief Brenda Edmondson; HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano; Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald Rios. Top row: Bergen County Veterans Services Director Ariel AJ Luna; HUD Senior Management Analyst Carleton Lewis; HUD NJ Public Housing Revitalization Specialist Patrick Morris; HUD Region II Public Affairs Specialist Olga Alvarez.

HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano and HUD staff were honored at the G.I. Go Fund 10th Anniversary Gala for their tireless work to assist homeless veterans in the Garden State. The G.I. Go Fund is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to all military veterans by helping them find employment, access housing, and secure their education and health benefits.

HUD New Jersey staff provides assistance to help homeless veterans with HUD/VASH vouchers and technical assistance as needed. HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano has been a strong advocate of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, signing up 36 Mayors and County Executives.

Bergen and Middlesex Counties have already been certified by HUD, the VA and USICH as having effectively ended veteran homelessness, and were recognized at a White House ceremony in November. HUD FOD Maio-Messano invited Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald Rios; Bergen County Veteran Services Director Ariel AJ Luna; Bergen County Housing, Health & Human Services Center Director Julia Orlando to join HUD at the event.

HUD estimates that in 2016, New Jersey experienced a 14.2% percent reduction among homeless families, a 20.1% percent drop in Veteran homelessness, and a 40.4% percent decline in individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

HUD staff in attendance included HUD Senior Management Analyst Carleton Lewis, who focusses on homelessness issues; HUD NJ FHEO Program Compliance Chief Brenda Edmondson; HUD NJ Public Housing Patrick Morris, HUD NJ FHEO Enforcement Marilyn Boddy.

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