S1888 / S1889

TRENTON � Two measures sponsored by Senator Richard J. Codey (D � Essex, Morris) that would require emergency shelters for the homeless to admit persons with mental illness unless they pose a danger, and prohibit emergency shelters for the homeless from refusing to provide services for a minimum time frame unless the shelters are at maximum capacity passed the full Senate today.

Homelessness remains a devastating problem in the state. Last month at Newark�s Penn Station, Senator Codey announced a series of initiatives and legislation he would be spearheading to help combat homelessness in New Jersey. In March, Senator Codey dressed as a homeless man to exploit shocking problems with the system in the state. Among many of the issues he encountered, the most pressing was the inability of those with mental illness to find a shelter that would take them in; thousands of those with mental illness go to bed every night in New Jersey without a roof over their head.

TRENTON – Two measures sponsored by Senator Richard J. Codey (D – Essex, Morris) that would require emergency shelters for the homeless to admit persons with mental illness unless they pose a danger, and prohibits emergency shelters for the homeless from refusing to provide services for a minimum time frame unless the shelters are at maximum capacity passed the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Someone with a mental illness has every right to seek shelter and should not be discriminated against,” said Codey. “Those with mental illness already face a mountain of challenges. We do not need to compound those challenges by turning these folks away when they need a place to stay at night. To tell these people there is no room at the ‘Inn’ is cruel, inhumane, and just makes the problem of homelessness that much worse.”