52:27D-287i Findings, declarations.
2. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Homelessness is a critical issue affecting communities throughout New Jersey; b. Homelessness impacts many facets of community life in municipalities, including, but not limited to: (1) the state of a municipality’s housing stock and broader building stock; (2) general public safety and public health; (3) animal welfare related to persons who are experiencing homelessness with their pets, and broader impacts on animal population health in the municipality; (4) the state of the commercial and business climate in a municipality; and (5) the broader general welfare of community life in the municipality; c. Municipalities require additional resources and strategic planning to effectively address homelessness and provide necessary services and supports; and d. Establishing a dedicated funding source through municipal homelessness trust funds will enable municipalities to implement sustainable and comprehensive strategies to combat homelessness. L.2025, c.348, s.2.