This bill mandates that one Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) agency must operate in each populous county in New Jersey, defined as counties with a population of 350,000 or more. It requires that these agencies remain open and available to serve residents during public health emergencies, which are defined as situations declared by the Governor that pose significant health risks to the population. The Department of Community Affairs is tasked with providing funding to support the operations of these agencies.

Additionally, if federal funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic is insufficient to fully establish an HPP agency in a populous county, the Commissioner of Community Affairs is authorized to inform the State Treasurer and the Joint Budget Oversight Committee of the shortfall. The Commissioner may then request that the Legislature allocate funds from the General Fund or other state sources to cover the necessary expenses for the program. The bill aims to ensure continuous support for homelessness prevention efforts during critical times.