The city of Newark in partnership with its homeless coalition held a day of service event to mark the MLK holiday. Volunteers distributed hot meals and care packages, COVID19 and HIV testing was also made available.
Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver says its all a part of the city’s ongoing effort to address the needs of its homeless population, including Newark’s recently unveiled plans to create housing for the homeless with a site constructed out of shipping containers.
“We’re excited about it, right now we’re going to be starting with out about twenty shipping containers, that will be used as shelters, and we hope that a lot of people that are used to be here on the street, who are outside, who are around Penn Station, that they will want to relocate to a safer conduced environment, but at the same time receive the services that they need everyday, that’s what we hope will happen.”
McIver says they hope to have the shelter site up and running by February One of the first of its kind in the country, the container shelter will offer temporary single-units with beds, full bathrooms, meals, transportation and wraparound services.
