Paterson council backs ‘Patterson Bridge’ outreach plan and urges state funding

The Paterson Municipal Council voted unanimously May 20 to adopt an amended resolution expressing support for the Patterson Bridge program, a coalition of grassroots groups seeking state funding for intensive outreach to people sleeping in tent encampments.

Organizers told the council the proposal requests about $2,000,000 in state budget allocations to pay direct-service providers to deliver “intensive housing services” — outreach, housing vouchers and behavioral health and employment supports — to people living in encampments along Route 19, Route 80 and segments of Main Street. A motion to amend the draft resolution so it explicitly “stands in support” of the coalition’s request as it seeks state funding was moved by Councilwoman Maritza Davila and seconded by Councilwoman Velez; the amendment and the resolution passed 9–0.

The resolution does not appropriate city funds. Kelly Moss, one of the lead organizers, told the council the plan is meant to fund grassroots providers already working outside city government. “The intensive housing services will involve those grassroots organizations that’s already out there doing the work…This will give them an opportunity to do the work and be funded and deliver quality care,” Moss said, describing a mix of outreach, mental-health and substance-use services, employment supports and rental assistance that would prepare people for housing.

Council members pressed for clarity about how the money would flow and how the program would be overseen. Councilman Whelan said he supported the concept but said he had not seen enough information: “I just wish that we would have had, as a body, would have had more information, more, you know, conversation. I don't know anything about this. I just found out,” he said, noting concerns about timing and public perception given the city’s own budget process.

Corporation counsel explained the likely funding path: the state could make a special allocation or supplemental award that would pay the local nonprofit partners directly. “The money would most likely be allocated directly to the organization by way of supplemental, transitional aid or some other project given,” counsel said. Organizers also said they would provide monthly reports to the council about who was served and what outcomes were achieved.

Other council members suggested practical changes to the resolution language so it would make clear the council was endorsing the coalition’s effort to pursue state funding — not committing city dollars. “I think the wording should change,” Davila said during debate. “It should say this resolution is in support of…because … you’re going to the state legislators for funding.” The council amended the item accordingly before voting.

Several council members urged organizers to broaden their outreach to neighboring municipalities and state legislators so the application would carry greater weight in Trenton. Councilman Kolig recommended getting letters of support from surrounding towns in the 35th Legislative District to strengthen the request.

Organizers listed participating groups that would be part of the program: Hearts of Hannah (also described in the meeting materials as Heart of Hannah Women’s Center), Mature Sisters, Ruby Vision(s), Black Lives Matter and Casa de la Cultura Dominicana. Moss said the coalition would invite other providers and public agencies to join monthly case-review and coordination meetings and would provide the council with regular statistics about referrals and placements.

Outcome: the council amended the draft language to state it “stands in support” of the Patterson Bridge effort as the coalition seeks a state allocation, and adopted the resolution as amended (roll-call vote 9–0). Organizers said the application would be submitted to state legislators and to state funding channels; they indicated program oversight and vetting would occur at the state level if a direct allocation or supplemental aid were granted.

Why it matters: The resolution signals the council’s political support for a coalition-designed, non-city-run program to address visible homelessness and encampments in key corridors of Paterson. The council’s unanimous vote may help organizers gain access to discretionary state funding, but the program still depends on Trenton budget decisions and on subsequent implementation steps by the nonprofit providers and state grant administrators.

A note on scope: the resolution as adopted requests state action and does not appropriate city funds. Council members repeatedly stressed the distinction between supporting a state-funded effort and committing city budget resources.

What’s next: Organizers said they will submit an application to state funding channels and invite the council and nearby municipalities to send letters of support. They also told council members they will send monthly reports to the council with counts of people served and housing placements, and will coordinate with area providers and the police and human services departments.