Morris County Hosts Project Homeless Connect in Morristown

Published on January 29, 2026

Annual Resource Fair Offers Free Support and Services to Homeless Residents

The Morris County Department of Human Services joined the Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris Inc. (MHA) and more than 40 community partners yesterday to host the Project Homeless Connect at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, providing coordinated services and support to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.

The annual community resource event, led locally by MHA since 2009, connects residents with housing assistance, behavioral health services, benefits enrollment, food and other critical supports in one central location. Viktorija Spasova, program director of Programs for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) at MHA, welcomed attendees and introduced speakers, including the Rev. Canon Robert Picken, pastor of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church; MHA CEO Robert “Bob” Davison; Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers; state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco; and a community member with lived experience.

“The services represented here today are designed to help people regain their footing -- to move forward with confidence, supported, but not defined, by a moment of hardship,” said Commissioner Christine Myers. “There are people here who are ready to listen and help you navigate options and assistance as you work toward standing on your own again. To the volunteers, nonprofit partners, outreach teams and advocates who make that possible -- thank you.”

View More Photos from Project Homeless Connect 2026

Morris County’s Office of Temporary Assistance operated its Navigating Hope mobile outreach unit on site, alongside the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One team, offering additional assistance and referrals. MHA coordinated the collection of donations for the event beginning in October 2025, in partnership with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the county’s Human Services Department, including food, clothing, shoes, toiletries and other basic necessities.

“Homelessness is rising rapidly across New Jersey, and as the cost of living continues to increase, more people are being forced to choose between basic necessities,” said Sen. Bucco. “Recent changes at the federal level could result in funding delays of up to six months for frontline agencies, with the state estimating an $8 million shortfall. I have urged the governor to redirect funding already appropriated by the Legislature to ensure these critical services remain available.”

To support residents in crisis, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners has again approved a $300,000 annual allocation for homelessness prevention and emergency assistance. The funding has helped families avoid eviction, restore utilities, secure housing and access emergency shelter, reducing long-term hardship and promoting stability.

“We could not do this work without the support of Morris County,” said Davison. “In my more than 40 years of service, I can say without qualification that Morris County government is the most responsive to the needs of individuals struggling with mental illness, addiction or homelessness. When help is needed, Morris County responds.”

The event also marked the kickoff of Morris County’s annual federally mandated Point-in-Time (PIT) count, which provides a snapshot of homelessness across the county and helps guide funding and service decisions. The most recent count, conducted in January 2025, identified 618 men, women and children experiencing homelessness in Morris County -- a nine percent decrease from the previous year -- even as homelessness increased eight percent statewide during the same period.

Morris County Human Services staff will continue outreach in the community today to complete the PIT count survey identifying where individuals slept the night of Jan. 27, 2026. Participation in the 2026 count will help county officials and service providers better understand trends and direct resources where they are needed most.

For information about homelessness services in Morris County, visit the Office of Temporary Assistance Homeless Services webpage.

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Photo 1: From left, Mental Health Association Senior Director of Programs Rose Brown, PATH Program Director Viktorija Spasova, and CEO Robert Davison; Rev. Robert Picken, priest in charge at St. Peter’s Church in Morristown; state Sen. Anthony Bucco and Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers.

Photo 2: David Cruz, a barber at Razorz Edge Barber Shop in Jefferson Township, gives a free haircut during the event. Barber Casey Conver and shop owner Samantha Khoury also gave free haircuts.

Photo 3: Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers chats with Clifford Pristas and his dog Spark. Clifford leads the Veteran Farmers of New Jersey Regenerative Farm Network. Spark is the namesake of a brand of coffee that the group sells to fundraise.