A HomeCourt representative updated the Newark City Council on the homelessness-diversion program's six-month results and participants and service providers described recent placements and supports, while residents at public comment pressed the council for tougher nuisance-housing enforcement.

The HomeCourt representative told the council that HomeCourt launched in May and, as of the presentation, had 11 active participants out of 16 total participants over six months. The presenter said two participants were in residential treatment, three in short-term shelters, six in short-term housing and six in permanent housing placements, and that the program has one graduate and an "86 success rate." The representative credited partnerships — including the Lincoln County Coalition for Housing and university partners — for aiding housing placements and case management. "As of today, we have 11 active participants... In this 6 month period, we've had 16 participants... So at this point, we have an 86 success rate," the presenter said.

A program participant who identified himself as Caleb described personal recovery, obtaining a GED, entering residential treatment and moving into housing with program help. "This program works... It's like it's not just a program. It's a family," Caleb said.

Service providers and nonprofit partners, including a representative of the Lincoln County Coalition for Housing and John Lavell, president of the Saint Vincent de Paul St. Catherine conference, described how case managers and court coordination helped clients secure housing and comply with program requirements. Lavell said the program "is the best thing" and urged residents and officials to attend and support the work.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, multiple residents urged stronger local authority to tackle nuisance houses and slumlords. Jade Duvall (226 Cambria St.) described repeated drug activity at a property she named and urged action: "We're living with criminals, robbery, drugs, and it's not safe in our neighborhood," she said. Cody Miller (7046 Maple Grove Ave.) told the council: "We really need stronger legislation to crack down on these nuisance houses in Newark... our police are doing everything they can but they need... some teeth to crack down on these houses."

Council members responded by thanking presenters and service providers for the HomeCourt update and by saying staff and council are working on legislation to provide more enforcement tools for property maintenance and nuisance issues. Mister Marney (council member) said legislation is "coming" and that he appreciates residents bringing ideas the council can use. No specific ordinance text or timetable was presented at the meeting.

What happens next: Council members said several legislative items will be considered at the Dec. 1 meeting and that staff will pursue nuisance-housing proposals; the HomeCourt team invited council and residents to upcoming awareness events.