Shelters & Transitional Housing

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen assists individuals and families who are hungry, need shelter, or lack the financial resources to meet their basic needs. Over 20 programs are available to provide short term assistance that will lead to self-sufficiency and an improved quality of life.

Shelters:

Location: Ozanam Family Shelter, Edison

Ozanam Family Shelter in Edison provides emergency shelter for 16 single women and 26 families. The Ozanam Inn, located in New Brunswick, provides shelter to the homeless men of Middlesex County. The facility has 14 emergency shelter beds and 26 transitional housing beds. While living in the shelter, program residents work with case managers to improve their earning capacity and obtain permanent housing.

Services: Homeless families and single women, temporary and emergency lodging, meals, physical and mental health assessments, crisis counseling, assistance with housing, employment and children's educational placement, case management and referrals.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be homeless in Middlesex County, be willing to answer questions during screening process, agree to refrain from use of alcohol and other drugs, be able to take care of themselves, be willing to abide by shelter rules, and may not be a threat to themselves, staff or other residents. Former shelter residents may be denied subsequent placement if they refused to abide by shelter rules in previous stays, and show no evidence of change.

Wait List: The shelter does not maintain a waiting list.

Location: Ozanam Inn [Men's Shelter] New Brunswick

Services: Homeless men, temporary and emergency lodging, meals, physical and mental health assessments, crisis counseling, assistance with housing and employment, case management and referrals.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be homeless in Middlesex County, be willing to answer questions during screening process, agree to refrain from use of alcohol and other drugs, be able to take care of themselves, be willing to abide by shelter rules, and may not be a threat to themselves, staff or other residents. Former shelter residents may be denied subsequent placement if they refused to abide by shelter rules in previous stays, and show no evidence of change.

Wait List: Waiting list is maintained when capacity census is reached. Persons on waiting list are asked to call daily for an update of space availability. Families in need of immediate lodging may be given a motel placement by welfare of the Hotline funds when possible.

Transitional Housing:

Location: Naomi’s Way,  New Brunswick

Naomi's Way, located in New Brunswick has 16 one or two bedroom units. The program offers support to homeless mothers who are employed or engaged in job training. Stays at Naomi’s Way can last up to 24 months. While in residence, the women are provided with case management and life skills training.

Services: Transitional housing for single women with children including case management and life skills training. 18 month limit.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be homeless and accompanied by at least one child; must be involved in employment, education or vocational training; must be willing to answer questions during screening process; must be able to take care of themselves and their children; must be willing to abide by program rules and may not be a threat to themselves, staff or others. Applicants must exhibit a willingness and readiness to participate in the program, including on-going case management and life-skills training.

Wait List: Waiting list is maintained when capacity census is reached. Persons on the waiting list are notified by phone when an opening becomes available.

Location: State Street Transitional Housing  , Perth Amboy

The State Street Program has 25 transitional housing rooms, 28 eight studio apartments and three one-bedroom apartments for low-income singles and couples. Many of the men and women tenants once resided in Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen shelters. Tenants are offered case management, life skills training, transportation, counseling and linkage to substance abuse and mental health counseling.

Services: Services include case management, counseling, linkage to community services and job search agencies, life skills training and ongoing support. The program is designed for individuals and couples without children.

Eligibility Criteria: Referrals from Perth Amboy Welfare, Middlesex County Social Services, Salvation Army, Raritan Bay Medical Center, and various CC programs. Walk-ins eligible. Criteria include demonstrated ability to meet financial obligations involved in being a participant in this program, be able to care and provide for themselves (hygiene and environment), have realistic potential to "graduate" to a permanent housing opportunity, agree to follow house rules and sign an individual service plan detailing goals and objectives to be met; in all cases, individual needs to be working towards locating permanent housing. Exclusion criteria includes: insufficient income to sustain program fees (rent), physical/psychiatric disability requiring higher level of care, prior facility dismissal for violation of house rules.

Wait List: There is no waiting list for this service.

The Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness

Location: Edison Family Service Center

The Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) is designed to assist mentally ill individuals who are homeless. The project provides assistance securing entitlements, mental health treatment and housing. Services are provided to clients in the community in train stations, hospital emergency rooms, shelters and soup kitchens.

Services: Outreach case management for homeless individuals with serious mental illness.

Eligibility Criteria: Services are available to those who have severe, persistent mental illness and who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. Clinical diagnosis of an accepted DSM illness is basis for diagnostic criteria. Services provided for one year with goal of linkage to mental health services and housing opportunities.

Wait List: There is no waiting list for this service.