Pintor Marin, Mukherji & Downey Statement on Bill to Expand Resources for Code Blue Homeless Shelters

Legislation Passed by Full Assembly on Thursday; Heads to Governor

(TRENTON) – In response to the full Assembly’s approval of a bill (A-4177) to increase support for emergency shelter services during Code Blue alerts in severely cold weather, Assembly Democratic sponsors Eliana Pintor Marin, Raj Mukherji and Joann Downey released the following statement:

“On cold winter days, there are over 8,000 people in New Jersey who don’t have the option of finding refuge in a safe, warm home,” said Pintor Marin (D-Essex). “Code Blue alerts can be potentially life-saving for our homeless population when temperatures plummet below freezing with precipitation, or under 25 degrees without it. This bill would allow counties to use its County Homeless Trust Fund to support emergency shelters that take in at-risk individuals during Code Blue alerts to protect their health and safety.”

“Dozens of community centers, places of worship, and homeless shelters step up to serve as warming stations for those in need of shelter when the weather gets severely and dangerously cold,” said Mukherji (D-Hudson). “Through Code Blue alerts, we can support these critical shelters in their efforts to provide food, warm beds, and other accommodations to homeless New Jerseyans during their time of need.”

“Code Blue shelters offer so much more to at-risk New Jerseyans than temporary emergency housing; they provide a human kindness,” said Downey (D-Monmouth). “It’s heartwarming to think people who would have otherwise had nowhere to go during life-threatening cold weather have places to take refuge in our state. By allowing counties to put more resources into Code Blue housing, we ensure these stations can continue their important work.”