Murphy Administration Allocates $10 Million to Support Housing Initiatives Statewide

Local Organizations, Including Family Promise of Morris County and Homeless Solutions, Inc., Among 43 Grantees Aiming to Expand Safe, Stable Housing

New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and Department of Human Services (DHS) have awarded $10.7 million to 43 nonprofit organizations through the NJ FamilyCare Housing Supports Provider Readiness Program (HSPRP). The funding, set for State Fiscal Year 2025, will bolster statewide efforts to assist individuals experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness—particularly those facing medical challenges.

"Stable housing is a critical social determinant of health," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "This initiative represents an important step in New Jersey's comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness while improving health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents."

Under the HSPRP program, nonprofits receive up to $250,000 each for essential startup costs such as enrolling in Medicaid, partnering with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), hiring staff, and establishing billing systems. The initiative stems from a larger Medicaid-backed effort to address housing as a social determinant of health, enabling eligible NJ FamilyCare members to find, secure, and maintain safe living conditions.

Who, What, Where, and Why

• Who: 43 nonprofit grantees—including Family Promise of Morris County and Homeless Solutions, Inc., both serving the Morris County region.

• What: A total of $10.7 million in grants to prepare service providers for New Jersey’s newly established housing supports program under NJ FamilyCare.

• When: Funding will be deployed throughout State Fiscal Year 2025, with organizations receiving initial allocations (30%) upon selection and the remainder tied to key milestones.

• Where: Programs operate statewide, with local agencies focusing on Morristown, Morris County, and surrounding communities.

• Why: The initiative recognizes the critical role that stable housing plays in overall health outcomes. Services range from pre-tenancy counseling and rental assistance to renovations that make living spaces safer and more accessible.

How It Works

The NJ FamilyCare Housing Supports program was authorized through the state’s Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration in April 2023. It provides four core services:

1. Pre-tenancy Services: Helping participants navigate housing searches, applications, and tenant requirements.

2. Tenancy Sustaining Services: Ongoing case management to support housing stability.

3. Move-in Supports: One-time financial aid for security deposits, moving, and basic furnishings.

4. Residential Modifications and Remediation: Funding to adapt or repair residences, ensuring safety and accessibility.

To qualify, participants must be enrolled in NJ FamilyCare through a contracted MCO and meet both social-risk (e.g., homelessness) and clinical-risk (e.g., complex medical needs) criteria.

"People's basic needs are not siloed. Health and healthcare treatments are undermined when residents do not have stable housing,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. "This program will create opportunities for organizations to deliver supportive housing services, which when combined with our affordable housing efforts, focuses on treating the needs of the whole person to improve outcomes, create healthier residents and stronger communities."

Local Impact

In Morris County, Family Promise of Morris County and Homeless Solutions, Inc. stand to strengthen their existing homelessness prevention and housing support initiatives. Both organizations embrace “Housing First” principles—offering permanent housing without preconditions and integrating services for residents who have experienced homelessness. By tapping into this new funding, they can improve outreach, broaden case management, and incorporate feedback from those who have firsthand experience navigating housing insecurity.

"By supporting community-based programs that offer housing-related services, we hope to promote our members’ health and housing stability," said Gregory Woods, Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services. "Health and housing are fundamentally interconnected—when people have stable housing, they are more likely to thrive."

For additional details on the HSPRP program or to learn about state homelessness prevention efforts, email OHP@dca.nj.gov. The Office of Homelessness Prevention (OHP) continues to spearhead evidence-based solutions and partnerships to address homelessness across New Jersey.