Newark Program Aims To Help Vulnerable Homeless
NEWARK, NJ (WCBS 880/AP) -- Groups around the City of Newark are getting together to provide housing and help for some of those who are living on the streets.
The Newark 50 Project is seeking to provide housing and comprehensive services to 50 people by December 2012.
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It's part of the 100,000 Homes campaign, a national effort to find homes for 100,000 of the most vulnerable homeless by July 2013.
Dale Smith of Warren County came to Newark to help get homeless folks off of Newark streets and went out to talk with them.
"The immediate impact that I saw was that they were actually having someone talking to them at their level," said Smith.
Advocates say the program seeks to first stabilize people's lives by getting them immediately into housing and then helping them address other issues.
"We'll be taking five of the 50 people," said Smith.
Project Live housing director Sangida Prasad-Binbo says they'll also teach them various life skills.
"Brushing their teeth in the morning, grooming themselves and we're talking again these people are literally from the streets and some of those people don't have those basic skills we take for granted," said Prasad-Binbo.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker said Tuesday that volunteers have identified those among the city's homeless population most in danger of dying on the streets.
He said the Newark program placed the first person in an apartment this week.
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