In addition to providing food and housing, homeless shelters help improve lives.
As a result of the housing and employment collapse, New Jersey has experienced a marked increase in its number of homeless people. The community of Brick Township and the surrounding Ocean County area is home to a variety of organizations that help the homeless. Many of these not-for-profit organizations offer assistance with clothing, food and job training in addition to providing shelter.
State and Federal Agencies
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides rental assistance to homeless and low income individuals in states throughout the U.S., including New Jersey. The Ocean County office of HUD's New Jersey district offers assistance through federally funded housing vouchers that can be used to help offset the cost of HUD-approved housing. The Ocean County Housing Authority also offers assistance to homeless and at-risk Ocean County residents through income-based subsidized housing at public housing complexes located throughout the county.
Charitable Organizations
The Ocean County branch of the United Way offers an array of services to homeless individuals and families. In addition to its homeless prevention services, which provides budgeting classes and job search assistance, the United Way offers assistance with obtaining food, child care services and temporary housing assistance designed to help families get back on their feet. The Salvation Army of Ocean County also offers housing assistance to residents of Brick Township. In addition to short-term housing, the Salvation Army assists homeless families by offering skills training, clothing, food and child care assistance when needed.
Domestic Violence Shelters
Located in the heart of Brick, Dottie's House provides safe, temporary shelter to women and children who have been the victims of domestic violence. In addition to housing, Dottie's House offers legal referrals, counseling services, credit counseling and job readiness training to its residents. A division of Catholic Charities, Providence House, located just 10 minutes from the center of Brick in the village of Lakehurst, offers comprehensive services to women and children who have been victimized by domestic violence. In addition to housing, residents receive counseling, legal assistance and job training services free of charge.
Traditional Shelters and Shelters For the Chemically Dependent
Also in Ocean County, just 10 minutes from the heart of Brick, Epiphany House offers transitional housing for chemically dependent women and their children. In order to qualify, potential residents must be willing to seek treatment for chemical addiction, be homeless or in danger of becoming homeless and commit to residing at the facility for at least three months. Another division of Catholic Charities, Amity House, located in the heart of Ocean County, offers housing, counseling and treatment for chemical addiction to women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. While residents are required to pay what they can, no one is turned away simply based on an inability to pay.
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