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Council moves Office of Homeless Services from mayor’s office to Department of Health and Community Wellness
Summary
Two ordinances to repeal the mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and re-establish it under the Department of Health and Community Wellness passed after public comment raising questions about why the change was necessary and how services and funding will be affected.
The Newark Municipal Council approved two related ordinances on March 5 to move the Office of Homeless Services out of the Mayor’s Office and establish it within the Department of Health and Community Wellness.
The first ordinance repeals the prior placement of homeless services under the Mayor’s Office and the second creates the Office of Homeless Services as part of the city’s Department of Health and Community Wellness. Council members adopted both ordinances on recorded roll calls during the meeting.
Public speakers pressed the administration for clear explanations of what the changes mean in practice, asking specifically whether funding or service delivery would change and how residents currently seeking assistance would be affected. Lisa Parker said the language in the ordinance — including the word “repeal” — suggested the city was undoing previous work rather than simply reorganizing staff. She asked, “So are you saying that everything that went in the first ordinance you're rectifying it indeed is that what this is?”
Deborah Salters and other commenters raised questions about where existing homelessness funds had gone and urged the council for transparency and tangible outcomes for residents who use homeless services. One speaker asked whether moving the office would protect services when mayoral administrations change.
Council President Crump said the measure had been discussed previously and said material was available online; the council proceeded to vote. Roll-call entries show a majority in favor and no recorded “no” votes.
Why it matters: The administrative home of homeless services affects reporting lines, oversight and potentially how the city organizes funding and partnerships with state and federal programs. Residents and advocates asked for clarity about service continuity and the plan to use existing funds.
What’s next: The administration will implement the transfer to the Department of Health and Community Wellness and the council has signaled it expects additional information and transparency on program metrics and funding.
