Newark opens more transitional housing for homeless

Briana Vannozzi, Anchor | January 8, 2025 | Housing

The City of Newark launched a new program this week designating 200 public housing units as transitional housing for chronically homeless residents.

The program’s first 15 residents recently transitioned from emergency shelters throughout Newark into the newly renovated and furnished units. The city has partnered with staff from Bridges Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to homelessness prevention and support, to offer the residents wrap-around services that include behavioral health counseling and treatment, financial help and other supports.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has launched a number of “housing first” initiatives to help more people find temporary and permanent shelter. Data from the state Department of Community Affairs shows some of the strategies appear to be working, as Newark dropped its homelessness rate by more than 50% last year.