The Cape May County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 12 approved Resolution 428-25, authorizing $300,000 for pilot programs to supplement existing efforts to assist people experiencing homelessness.
The resolution was adopted as part of the consent agenda and carries immediate funding authority for pilot activities recommended by the Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee.
The pilot funding drew public attention: Karen (last name not specified), a South Seaville resident, told the board that “at the July 8, 2025 meeting Commissioner Morey estimated the cost for Phase I of the homelessness program to be $350,000.00 but the resolution on today’s agenda is for $300,000.00” and asked whether the lower amount would compromise the plan. Commissioner Morey responded, “I did not believe so,” and said mental-health support is an “important component” that he believes can be included within the $300,000 but that the board would respond quickly if adjustments are needed.
Commissioner Morey also expressed appreciation for moving the ad hoc committee’s recommendations forward. Commissioner Barr told the board he viewed the resolution as a “solid start” but said additional work remains.
The action approved the allocation and does not on its face specify program contractors, a timeline for expenditure, or detailed service models; the transcript indicates those details were part of the ad hoc committee’s recommendations but were not read into the meeting record. A public commenter, Mary Fox of Cape May, welcomed Phase I funding but urged greater transparency on program plans and broader public discussion as the pilots are implemented.
Discussion versus decision: the meeting record shows questions and public comment about funding size and program elements (discussion), then formal approval of the resolution as part of the consent agenda (decision). No separate motion to allocate supplemental or additional funds was recorded; Commissioner Morey said the board would “quickly respond” if adjustments were needed (direction/intent expressed, not a formal vote).
What remains: the transcript does not specify how the $300,000 will be split among program types, which vendors or county departments will administer services, or specific performance measures. Those implementation details were not specified in the meeting record and are thus not described here.