How St. Paul Became Home to Minnesota’s First Commercial Community Land Trust
January 10, 2022 by In January, volunteers in Bergen County, New Jersey will conduct the annual point in time count to assess the homeless population, despite challenges posed by COVID-19. The county aims to achieve “functional zero” for chronic and veteran homelessness, a metric from Community Solutions indicating the capacity to house all individuals in these categories quickly. Julia Orlando, director of the county’s Housing, Health, and Human Services Center, highlights the county’s success in reaching these benchmarks through a coordinated, data-driven approach that includes detailed by-name lists and personalized services. However, achieving functional zero doesn’t mean homelessness is eradicated. Data shows steady homelessness rates, and definitions can obscure the reality of long-term homelessness. Critics argue the functional zero focus on rehousing doesn’t address root causes of homelessness. Despite the county’s progress, the need for affordable housing and resources remains critical, and ongoing community resistance to affordable housing projects poses additional challenges. Bergen County’s next target is youth homelessness, but the broader issue of accurate data collection during the pandemic complicates these efforts. The approach, while effective in organizing resources, still faces limitations without adequate social services and affordable housing availability.