Union County expands Code Blue funding after hotter winters and rising homelessness count

The Union County Department of Human Services told the Board of County Commissioners it will increase funding for the countywide Code Blue emergency shelter program and add homeless trust fund dollars to meet rising demand.

“Code blue is a program for to shelter the unhoused when it gets to 32 degrees and below,” Director Debbie Ann Anderson said, explaining why the county is increasing funding and adding trust-fund dollars. Anderson said the county added funds because November and December forecasts suggested more cold nights and because the county’s point-in-time count for people experiencing homelessness increased by about 70 percent from 2024.

Anderson told commissioners that Union County started the Code Blue program in 2007 and was “the first county in the state of New Jersey that did Code Blue.” She said the county recorded 66 Code Blue days from January through April of this year and that state law requires sheltering when temperatures fall to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

Commissioner Mirabella asked for additional explanation so the public would understand the program and the reason for the extra funding; Anderson responded with the historical context and demand figures. Anderson said the county is coordinating budgeted county dollars with homeless trust fund resources to expand capacity.

No formal vote on new Code Blue spending occurred during the agenda-setting meeting; Anderson presented the program background while the item remained on the agenda for later consideration in the regular meeting.

The board moved on to other departmental reports after the discussion.