DBSA NJ GO, our Grassroots Organization advocacy initiative, calls on citizens of New Jersey to sign The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey’s (SHANJ) petition to increase housing rental vouchers for low income people living with disabilities. You may access the petition by going to their web site (linked above) and clicking the link under Opening 1000 Doors, or go directly to the petition on Change.org.
According to SHANJ’s petition, over 145,000 New Jerseyans living with disabilities collect Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSI provides assistance to those with low, or no, income who are over 65, or who are blind or disabled. The benefit for an individual is up to $733 per month. The poverty threshold for an individual is $980 per month.
Governor Christie’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016 (which begins July 1, 2015) includes $2 million for rental vouchers to support housing for 200 people. SHANJ asks our governor and legislature to increase funding to $10 million, to pay for vouchers for an additional 800 people, 1000 in total.
This is an action alert from DBSA NJ GO. Join us in advocating for better mental health care, and to fight stigma, at http://cqrcengage.com/dbsa/njgo. You may contact us by email at chair@dbsanjgo.org.