Gov. Christie: Atlantic County’s ‘Single Point of Entry’ homeless assistance program is a national model

Gov. Chris Christie says a new system to coordinate services for homeless people in Atlantic County can be a model statewide and nationally.

The Republican governor went to Atlantic City on Tuesday to laud the Single Point of Entry program, which began running earlier this year with the help of a $1.9 million state grant.

The program refers homeless people to one office where case managers help connect them with services, including those that provide housing and addiction recovery.

Atlantic City has long been a destination for homeless people. Officials say that under the new program, people who come to the area from elsewhere are sent home.

So far, 56 of the roughly 750 people in the system have been sent elsewhere and connected with services in those areas.