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Social worker urges Absecon to address motel placements; mayor proposes homeless task force
Summary
During public comment at the May 15 council meeting, social worker and resident Allison Maxfield described gaps in treatment and social services for people placed in local motels; the mayor said the city will pursue a homeless task force and has pushed a 28-day length-of-stay policy.
Allison Maxfield, a social worker and Absecon resident, told the City Council on May 15 that people placed in local motels often lack access to treatment and wraparound services, and that current pathways into 30-day treatment programs are limited.
"The only unless you have substance abuse and co occurring mental health issues and you say you're suicidal, it's very hard to get into any 30 day treatment programs," Maxfield said during public comment, describing a recent client's struggles and urging more coordinated services rather than short motel placements.
Why it matters: Council members said motel placements from other counties and the limited availability of treatment and long-term housing are creating recurring problems for local police, social-service providers and residents. Maxfield argued that a consistent paper trail with police referrals can be necessary for some individuals to qualify for group housing or institutional care.
Mayor (speaking at the meeting) acknowledged the issue and said the city has been pressing a 28-day transient-occupancy length-of-stay policy for motels and will bring forward a resolution to create a homeless task force to coordinate efforts among police, social-service providers and residents.
"So I had called on everyone to kinda join in with us on our 28 day length of stay for transient occupancy," the mayor said, and later added, "We're gonna get a resolution on there" to form a task force and work with the police and other stakeholders.
The mayor invited Maxfield to share her expertise with the city, and council members and staff said they would follow up; no binding policy was adopted at the meeting. Public comment closed and the council proceeded to other business.
Next steps: The mayor said a resolution to create a homeless task force will be placed on a future agenda; residents and service providers were invited to engage with the mayor and staff on solutions.
