In a letter sent to Mayor & Council earlier this month, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders stated that it will, once again, implement their Countywide Code Blue Emergency Shelter Initiative to address the needs of homeless individuals and families during severe winter weather not only in Roselle Park but throughout the County. During periods of extreme ‘Code Blue’ weather conditions, which include overnight temperatures below 25° (F) or temperatures of below 32° (F) with precipitation, emergency shelter assistance will be made available to individuals and families who are without accommodations.
During ‘Code Blue’ periods, emergency shelters will be asked to increase bed capacity. Once shelters are filled to capacity, alternate arrangements will be made by Union County Division of Social Services.
The County has reached out to the governing body to ask for assistance in identifying and offering transportation to those individuals and families who are seeking shelter during periods of extreme cold.
Notification will be provided to municipal police departments via the County hotline by 10 a.m. on the morning when a ‘Code Blue’ is called. Code Blue referrals will be accepted during daytime hours only, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
During these hours, homeless individuals and families should be referred to Union County Division of Social Services, located at 342 Westminster Avenue, Elizabeth or 200 Second Street in Plainfield. The County’s Homeless Hotline at (908) 756-6061 will be available for overnight assistance.
Recent data early this year in January showed that 960 adults and 731 children were homeless in Union County.
Any questions regarding the Countywide Code Blue initiative can be directed to Maureen Glenn at (908) 527-4838.