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Family Shelter

We are driven by our mission to end homelessness in Ocean County for children and families; driven by the belief that parents and children must be kept together in order to ensure security, success and self-sufficiency.
The new Family Shelter at Ocean’s Harbor House will work to break the cycle of homelessness in the lives of families experiencing it. Because of the overwhelming community support for this project, those in need will be able to come to us for nutritious meals, safe shelter, and one-on-one case management as they create pathways for careers and plan for permanent housing.
The Shelter will open some time in 2024. 

The Need

  • Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, accounting for almost 40-50% of the nation’s homeless (family gateway.org)

  • 85% of homeless families are headed by single women (NIH)

  • An increase in the amount of families behind on rent and facing housing insecurity

  • Ocean’s Harbor House Code Blue Family Shelter was full every Code Blue night we were open in the 2024 season (in partnership with Just Believe, Inc.); 5 single women were served in addition to 22 unduplicated family members including a total of 9 children)

  • Ocean County is the fastest growing county in NJ, with a population approaching 700,000.

  • It is a county where 60% of its families are income-stressed, spending greater than 30% of their income on rent/mortgage.

  • It is a county with a rising number of families living in poverty, a county with no designated shelter for homeless adults and families, and where 12 eviction notices are filed daily.

The Response

  • Six Bedroom, 18 bed, non-rotating shelter serving up to 6 families for up to 6 months

  • Primary outcome is to expeditiously transition clients to permanent, sustainable housing

  • Advocacy for increased affordable housing in our region

  • Housing First Model where housing is a basic right leading to individuals being better equipped to progress their lives

  • The proposed model removes contingencies to socioeconomic barriers, regardless of their origin

  • The proposed program provides navigation and service linkages to additional resources in the areas of physical and mental health, education, employment, substance use disorders, etc.

  • Families experiencing homelessness will not be screened out or discouraged from participating in programs due to socioeconomic barriers

  • Housing will not be conditional on services received; program participation will be voluntary

  • Clients will have choices in terms of the types of services they receive and when they start receiving services

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Nearly 90%

of all contributions go directly to serving youth and their families.

Your Giving Matters

Your financial gift helps build brighter futures for youth and families, supporting the growth of our programs and services.

Get Involved

Each year, groups help fulfill our wish list and assist with projects, keeping the spirit of home alive—contact us for upcoming opportunities!
Contact us at admin@oceansharborhouse.org to learn how you can get involved and make a difference.

All services are free, voluntary, and confidential. All staff are vetted and professionally trained to work with youth at risk.

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