TRENTON – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today approved two bills sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, to address homeless assistance programs and the problems discovered last year with the deplorable living conditions in transitional housing in hotels and motels across the State for the homeless.
“Many citizens are being forced into homelessness because of sub prime mortgages, and the rising cost of food and fuel,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “As more residents are becoming homeless, we must be better prepared to meet all their quality of life needs. Since last year, the transitional housing set up for the homeless has come under fire. News reports came out describing unsanitary and unsafe living facilities that were being provided to the homeless. My bill will ensure that the homeless population in our State is placed in safe locations.”