Bergen County Sheriff's Office Housing Works Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Bergen County Office of the Sheriff will capitalize on a groundbreaking enterprise that they have partnered with the county of Bergen and Bergen County's United Way called 'Housing Works' by launching a progressive new prisoner re-entry program for homeless ex-offenders. There is an over representation of the chronically homeless among the jail population. The prisoner re-entry program is designed to provide comprehensive transitional services, including housing assistance as one of the program's cornerstones. To facilitate prisoner re-entry, a team of case managers will systematically identify inmates needing housing, proactively develop relationships with housing resources in the community, and work intensively with inmates to navigate the complex maze of health and human services they need to sustain their independence and self sufficiency.

NCA/NCF