BERGEN COUNTY LEADS THE NATION IN HOUSING ITS CHRONIC HOMELESS RESIDENTS

HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs Ann Oliva speaks at the announcement

HUD, USICH, and Bergen County officials announced that Bergen County, New Jersey is the first community in the nation to reach the ambitious goal of ending long-term, homelessness among people with disabilities and other complex needs - otherwise known as chronic homelessness. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Bergen County Housing Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack.

HUD officials and staff present at the announcement included Ann Oliva, HUD's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs, who congratulated the County for this outstanding achievement; HUD Region II Deputy Regional Administrator Mirza Orriols; HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano; HUD NJ CPD Director Annemarie Uebbing; HUD NJ Senior Management Analyst and Homeless Coordinator Carleton Lewis, Marcy Thompson, Senior Advisor; and Barbara Gruson, Special Assistant in the Office of Public Affairs.

HUD NJ Senior Management Analyst Carleton Lewis; HUD NJ CPD Director Annemarie Uebbing; Eileen Cummins Lott, HUD NJ CPD Senior Representative; HUD Region II Deputy Regional Administrator Mirza Orriols; HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs Ann Oliva; HUD Senior Advisor Marcy Thompson; Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center Director Julia Orlando; HUD NJ Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano; Beth Sandor of Community Solutions; Christ Church CDC Executive Director Mary Sunden; Bergen County Community Development Assistant Director Angela Drakes; and USICH Regional Coordinator Robert Pulster.

HUD and USICH certified this achievement and particularly noted the County's coordinated and persistent effort to identify, engage, and connect individuals experiencing chronic homelessness to permanent housing and necessary services and supports as key to the community's success.

Bergen County was also the first in New Jersey to end veteran homelessness. The announcement was made in August, 2016.

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