>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND, FROM PSEG FOUNDATION.

'S >> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE U.S. HAS REACHED A COVID-19 VACCINATION MILESTONE.

AT LEAST 70% OF ALL ADULTS NATIONWIDE HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE SHOT ALTHOUGH PRESIDENT BIDEN HAD HOPED TO MEET THIS BY JULY 4th.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE NUMBER IS EVEN HIGHER.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, 78% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

AND MORE THAN 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE AGED 12 AND UP IN NEW JERSEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT NUMBER HAS TOWED IN RECENT WEEKS.

EVEN AS INFECTIONS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

THE STATE HAD ALSO REPORTED NEARLY 1200 NEW CASES TODAY.

NUMBERS NOT SEEN SINCE EARLY MAY.

AND, ANOTHER 10 DEATHS FROM COVID HAVE ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED.

MEANTIME, IN AN EFFORT TO INCENTIVIZE MORE PEOPLE TO GET THE SHOT, NEW YORK CITY SAYS IT WILL SOON REQUIRE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FOR INDOOR ACTIVITIES.

NEW YORK IS THE FIRST MAJOR U.S. CITY TO OPPOSE SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

COULD MORE VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND MANDATES BECOMING TO NEW JERSEY?

SR.

CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: EXASPERATED WITH VACCINATION RATES IN THE FACE OF RISING COVID CASELOADS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE GETTING TOUGH.

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DEBLASIO ORDERED INDOOR RESTAURANTS, GYMS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES MUST REQUIRE VACCINATION PASSPORTS FROM ALL STAFF AND CUSTOMERS, STARTING AUGUST 16th.

>> THIS IS WHAT IS GOING TO TURN THE TIDE, AND WE ALSO KNOW WE HAVE A CLEAR MESSAGE.

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SOCIETY FULLY, YOU'VE GOT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: JUST ACROSS THE RIVER COMING GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY STATED HE IS OPEN-MINDED ABOUT FAXING PASSPORTS, BUT NOW HE IS STRONGLY URGING BUT NOT MANDATING MASTER VACCINATIONS AT INDOOR VENUES.

BUT, ORDERS LIKE DEBLASIO SENDS SHIVERS THROUGH BUSINESS LEADERS WHO DON'T WANT TO BE ENFORCES AND ARE STILL SCRAMBLING TO HIRE STAFF.

>> I STILL HAVE SUCH A WORKFORCE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW THAT IF YOU PUT IN ANOTHER BURDEN LIKE THAT, YOU'RE INVITING MORE PEOPLE TO STEP AWAY AND HAVE A REASON WHY THEY CAN'T COME AND WORK FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: MURPHY SPOKESPERSON SAID THEY HAD NOTHING TO SHARE ON DEBLASIO'S ORDER BUT WITH THE DELTA VARIANCE SPREADING RAPIDLY HERE, NEW JERSEY HAD 173 NEW CASES TODAY.

MURPHY'S FOCUSED MANDATES ON HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LIKE HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, AS WELL AS PRISONS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTERS COME OVER HE ORDERED COVERT SHOTS OR REGULAR TESTING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES BY LABOR DAY.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH DR. DAN VARGA APPROVES.

>> TO A CERTAIN INCIDENT, IT HELPS THE COMMUNITY TO SAY THE STATE HAS MANDATED THAT WE DO THIS.

YOU KNOW, FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IT'S LIKE FLU SHOTS.

>> Reporter: DR. VARGAS SAYS THERE IS LESS EMPLOYEE PUSHBACK WHEN THE STATE GIVES AN ORDER, BUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH AUTHORITY ENACTED ITS OWN VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS THIS MONTH ARE THOSE WHO CANNOT MEET MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION ROLES WILL BE TERMINATED JUST LIKE RWJ BARNABAS TERMINATED 6 OF ITS HOSPITAL SUPERVISORS FOR NOT GETTING COVERT SHOTS .

>> PEOPLE WOULD BE PRUDENT TO GET IN AND GET THEIR VACCINATION.

ONLY AT A MINIMUM OF YOU KNOW, DAYS WHERE THEY ARE ACTUALLY EXPOSED TO OTHERS.

>> Reporter: VACCINATION COMPLIANCE HERE SO FAR, ABOUT 75% OF THE SYSTEMS WORKFORCE.

THEY WILL START TESTING THE 8000 OR 9000 WORKERS WHO REMAIN UNVACCINATED ON LABOR DAY.

>> IF THERE IS, THE IF YOU WILL, THE STICK OF THE INCONVENIENCE OF TWICE A WEEK TESTING, FOR UNVACCINATED FOLKS, THERE WILL BE AN ACCELERATION OF VACCINATIONS BETWEEN NOW AND THE SEVENTH OF SEPTEMBER.

>> FAXING HESITANT WORKERS MAY HARBOR LINGERING UNCERTAINTY ABOUT VACCINE SAFETY, BUT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SAW IT'S A STAFF VACCINATION RATE RISE TO 95% AFTER ENACTING A MANDATE.

ST. JOSEPH'S, WITH A 78% STAFF VACCINATION RATE ADOPTED ITS OWN MANDATE LAST WEEK.

>> THE OPEN MEETINGS WITH THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE UNVACCINATED TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS.

HELPING THEM THROUGH THAT, AND ESTABLISHING EASIER WAYS FOR THEM TO GET VACCINATED.

>> THE RESEARCH IS TOO GREAT FOR US TO NOT HAVE SOME FORM OF A VACCINE MANDATE.

EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO MAY CHOOSE TO DO OTHER WORK AS A RESULT OF IT.

>> NEW JERSEY'S LONG-TERM CARE SAYS ALMOST RESIDENTS GOT COVERT SHOTS, A THIRD OF THE STAFF AT NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES REMAIN UNVACCINATED.

EVEN AS 39 FACILITIES ARE NOW EXPERIENCING COVERT OUTBREAKS, INCLUDING THE VETERANS HOME IN PARAMUS.

>> THEY ARE GENUINELY, ALMOST BY DEFINITION MEDICALLY FRAGILE, RIGHT?

SO, IF THEY GET A BREAK THROUGH CASE, THAT IS GOING TO BE OF SOME SIGNIFICANT CONCERN.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN MANDATE, ANYONE HAS TO HAVE A VACCINE, BUT IF YOU WANT TO WORK FOR US, WE WANT YOU TO HAVE, WE WANT YOU TO BE VACCINATED.

>> CEO LYNN KATZMAN SAYS 40 PEOPLE QUIT WHEN JUNIPER COMMUNITIES MADE COVERT SHOTS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR STAFF LAST NOVEMBER.

AT ITS FOUR NEW JERSEY FACILITIES, 95% GOT VACCINATED.

>> WITH THE DELTA VARIANCE, WE ARE SEEING EXPOSURE AMONG VACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AND GOVERNOR MURPHY COULD EXPAND THE MANDATE TO INCLUDE THE PORT AUTHORITY AND NJ TRANSIT PERSONNEL TO STAY AHEAD OF DELTA AND THIS LATEST SURGE.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THE LATEST BIG COMPANY TO MANDATE VACCINATIONS FOR ITS WORKERS WAS TYSON TODAY.

SOME LARGE RETAILERS, TECH COMPANIES AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS HAVE ALSO ISSUED SUCH MANDATES.

AND MORE ARE LIKELY ON THE WAY ACCORDING TO ATTORNEY WAGNER, A PARTNER AT PRINCETON.

I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE LEGAL CHALLENGES TO VACCINE MANDATES, AND ASKED HIM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN EMPLOYEE REFUSES TO GET A VACCINE.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THESE EMPLOYEE VACCINE MANDATES.

WE'VE SEEN LARGE COMPANIES PUT THEM FORWARD.

DO YOU EXPECT THAT THAT WILL CONTINUE?

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR THE DECISION-MAKING ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, IT'S A LOADED QUESTION.

THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION HAS INDICATED IN ITS GUIDANCE THAT PRIVATE EMPLOYERS HAVE THE RIGHT, AND THE LAWFUL ABILITY TO IMPOSE A MANDATORY VACCINE POLICY FOR THEIR WORKFORCES.

OF COURSE, CONGRESS HAS NOT STEP FORWARD.

NEITHER FEDERALLY OR STATE ASSEMBLIES HAVE STEPPED FORWARD, AND IMMUNIZED EMPLOYERS IF THEY WOULD DECIDE TO IMPOSE A VACCINE MANDATE FOR THEIR WORKFORCES.

SO, YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT, AS I'VE BEEN ADVISING MY CLIENTS, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THE LITMUS TEST, THAT PERSON WHO OPPOSES A VACCINE POLICY REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED.

AND THEN BE THE ONE SUBJECT TO LITIGATION THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD IS WATCHING AND WAITING AND SEEING.

WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS NOW THAT CERTAIN INDUSTRIES IT SEEMS TO BE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE, IF NOT EXPECTED.

SUCH AS THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRIES, YOU KNOW, CARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PRIVATE CARE HOMES AND FACILITIES.

>> SO, WHAT HAPPENS IF AN EMPLOYEE DOES NOT WANT TO GET VACCINATED?

ARE THEY POTENTIALLY SETTING THEMSELVES UP TO BE TERMINATED FROM THAT COMPANY?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SITUATION.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE EMPLOYEE IS SUFFERING FROM SOME SORT OF HEALTH CONDITION, OR A DISABILITY DEFINED BY LAW.

OR, IS PREGNANT AT THE TIME.

AND IS RECEIVING GUIDANCE FROM HIS OR HER MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL THAT THEY CANNOT OR SHOULD NOT BE VACCINATED BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE HARM TO THEM OR THEIR UNBORN CHILD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEN THE EMPLOYER HAS TO ACCOMMODATE OR FIND A WAY TO ADHERE TO THAT EMPLOYEE'S REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION.

UNLESS THIS PERSON HAS AN UNDUE HARDSHIP ON THE EMPLOYER'S OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS.

THERE'S ALSO AN EXEMPTION FOR EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE SEVERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, WHICH UNDER FEDERAL TITLE VII AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE LAW IS PROTECTED.

AND AGAIN, THE EMPLOYER MAY BE OBLIGATED TO ACCOMMODATE THAT EMPLOYEES REQUEST.

BUT, IF THE EMPLOYEE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THOSE EXEMPTIONS, AND THE EMPLOYEE JUST SIMPLY DOES NOT WANT TO RECEIVE THE VACCINATION FOR SOME OTHER PERSONAL REASON, THEN THE EMPLOYEE MAY BE ABLE TO DISCIPLINE OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE, AND THAT COULD LEAD TO LITIGATION.

>> I ASSUME THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE LITIGATION FOLLOWING THE MONTHS AHEAD AS THE SOME OF THIS SHAKES OUT.

>> YEAH, THERE HAS BEEN LITIGATION ALREADY, BUT AGAIN, IT'S BEEN MORE ON THE INDUSTRIES ROLE WILL BE EXPECT TO SEE THE VACCINE MANDATES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

IN FACT, THERE WAS A CASE DOWN IN TEXAS WHERE AN EMPLOYEE CHALLENGE THE EMPLOYER'S VACCINE MANDATE, AND AT LEAST AT THE TRIAL COURT LEVEL, THE EMPLOYEE LOST.

I DO EXPECT THERE WILL BE A GREATER WAY OF LITIGATION AS MORE AND MORE EMPLOYERS STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TACKLE THIS VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY, MY PLEASURE, RHONDA.

THANKS AGAIN POINT >> NEW JERSEY'S GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JACK CHIARELLI TODAY ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO JOIN THE CAUSE FOR THE REGULATION OF NEW YORK'S GOVERNOR, ANDREW CUOMO.

THAT, AFTER A REPORT BY THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCLUDED THAT CUOMO SEXUALLY HARASSED MULTIPLE WOMEN IS ACCUSED OF RETALIATING AGAINST ONE WOMEN WHO CAME FORWARD, AND VIOLATED STATE LAW.

CUOMO DENIED THE CONDUCT AND IS IGNORING CALLS TO RESIGN.

MEANWHILE, JACK CHIARELLI HAS MADE HIS PICK FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

HE PLANS TO OFFICIALLY MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW , BUT SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID KRUSE EXPLAINS WHY HE HAS SELECTED FORMER STATE SENATOR, DIANE ALLEN, AND WHAT SHE BRINGS TO THE CAMPAIGN.

>> WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHOICE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, DAVID.

I'M MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: JACK CHIARELLI WAS BEING COY ABOUT HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PICK THIS MORNING, BUT SEVERAL SOURCES CONFIRM THAT FORMER STATE SENATOR, DIANE ALLEN IS JACK CHIARELLI'S PICK, A POPULAR BROADCAST ANCHOR IN PHILADELPHIA FOR DECADES, ELLEN HAD A 20 YEAR STATE SENATE CAREER, REPRESENTING THE SEVENTH DISTRICT IN BURLINGTON COUNTY.

THE REACTION TODAY HAS MOSTLY POSITIVE.

>> DIANE ALLEN IS ABSOLUTELY THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THIS.

DIANE WORKS FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING THEM FOR HER.

>> Reporter: JACK CHIARELLI HAS BEEN COURTING THE PARTIES CONSERVATIVES AND SOME OF THE MORE MODERATE MEMBERS WERE HOPING THAT HE COULD FIND SOMEONE TO TEMPER THAT.

ALAN APPEARS TO BE THAT PERSON.

>> THERE ARE CERTAINLY CONCERNS IN THE PARTY WHO THINK HE HAS NOT DONE WHAT HE NEEDED TO DO.

THEY ARE NOT HAPPY TODAY.

THEY WANTED SOMEBODY WHO WAS A LITTLE MORE OUT OF THE PARTY THAN JACK WAS.

SHE'S GOT TO WIN OVER UNDECIDED VOTERS IN THE STATE.

HE'S GOT TO WIN OVER DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE.

HE CANNOT WIN JUST REPUBLICANS THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW IN NEW JERSEY.

SO, HE'S DOING WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO.

AGAIN, WHETHER OR NOT THIS CHANGES ANY MINDS ALL BY ITSELF IS A DIFFERENT QUESTION.

>> IN THE SENATE, ALLEN BUILT A REPUTATION AS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY PAYING EQUITY, GETTING HER NAME ON THE BILL, SIGNED BY PHIL MURPHY THAT ESTABLISHED A STATE EQUAL PAY LAW, YEARS AFTER SHE TRIED TO OVERRIDE FELLOW REPUBLICAN CHRIS CHRISTIE'S VETO OF THE BILL.

REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST MIKE DUANE REMEMBERS IT WELL.

>> SHE WAS OFTEN TIMES A VERY STRONG ALLY OF GOVERNOR CHRISTIE, BUT THERE WERE TIMES WHERE SHE FELT THAT SHE HAD TO BREAK AND THE WHEEL IS KIND OF WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT, CERTAINLY PEER G SOMEONE WHO REALLY VOTED HER CONSCIOUS AND DID WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS RIGHT.

ALL THE TIME, AND SHE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS, AS I SAID, A STRONG ALLY GOVERNOR CHRISTIE BUT UNAFRAID TO VOTE AGAINST HIM WHEN SHE THOUGHT IT WAS RIGHT AND WE CERTAINLY RESPECTED.

I THINK CLEARLY HER CONSTITUENTS DID AS WELL.

>> THIS MORNING, THE FIRST STOP OF A DAY THAT WAS TO END IN OCEAN COUNTY TONIGHT, JACK CHIARELLI DID NOT MENTION HIS POTENTIAL RUNNING MATE.

NOBODY ASKED, EITHER.

BUT, THE REPUBLICAN WAS WORKING ON WHAT APPEARED TO BE A REFOCUSED STUMP SPEECH.

CONCENTRATING ON ISSUES THAT HAVE WORKED WELL FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE PAST.

>> WE NOW HAVE THE FURTHEST BUSINESS TAX IN THE NATION.

THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE NATION, ON TOP OF SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN GAS TAX, AN INCREASE IN TOLLS.

>> Reporter: WORTHY SUCCESSOR IN THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO?

CHECK SAYS JACK CHIARELLI.

WHAT IS IT THAT THAT PERSON BRINGS?

CONFIDENCE BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME.

>> I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR, MY HEALTH IS 100% OKAY, BUT WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS YOU NEED SOMEONE THAT CAN STEP INTO THE JOB ON DAY ONE.

>> JUST LIKE WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, ONE OF THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT TEST IS FOR THE VOTERS TO LOOK AT THAT PERSON SAY YEAH, THAT PERSON COULD DO THE JOB AS GOVERNOR BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHAT YOU'RE ELECTING IN NEW JERSEY, CLEARLY GOING BACK 15 YEARS OR SO GOING WITH A NUMBER OF TIMES WHERE THE GOVERNOR LEFT FOR VARIOUS REASONS SO, PICKING SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE GOVERNOR IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>>'S PICK SOME UP JUSTIN GRAVITAS, GREAT REPUTATION, AND COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER REALLY FROM A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW.

>> DIANE ALLEN WAS NOT AROUND TODAY.

SHE IS EXPECTED TO JOIN JACK CHIARELLI TOMORROW MORNING IN MOORESTOWN WHERE SHE GREW UP.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THAT POLICE CANNOT PULL OVER A DRIVER OF A CAR WHOSE LICENSE PLATE OBSCURES ONLY PART OF THE PLATE.

THE UNANIMOUS DECISION WAS BASED ON THE CASES OF TWO DRIVERS STOPPED IN 2014 AND 2016.

IN EACH CASE, AFTER THE STOPS, THE MEN WERE FOUND TO HAVE OUTSTANDING ARREST REPORTS.

THE COURT STATED THAT THE LICENSE PLATE LAW LEADS TO MORE THAN 100,000 TICKETS EACH YEAR FOR NEW JERSEY DRIVERS, AND IS OFTEN USED AS A PRETEST TO A POLICE SEARCH.

THE COURT NOTED THAT LICENSE PLATE FRAMES SUPPLIED BY DEALERSHIPS, BOOSTER CLUBS AND NONPROFIT GROUPS OFTEN COVER THE NEW JERSEY IN GARDEN STATE.

THE ACLU PRAISED THE RULING SAYING IT WILL BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC STOPS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET ACTION ON WALL STREET.

NEW JERSEY'S HOMELESS POPULATION IS GROWING, AND TWO COMMUNITIES IN ESTATE HAVE COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO HELP THOSE RESIDENTS.

THEY BEGAN SHELTERING HOMELESS PEOPLE IN CONVERTED SHIPPING CONTAINERS, AND NOW BRIDGET IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PLAN TO BUILD TINY HOMES.

FOR OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM WHICH FOCUSES ON POVERTY, JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

THESE SHELTERS ARE HELPING RESIDENTS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> NUMBER ONE THING IS SECURITY.

FROM THE ELEMENTS.

I WANT THEM TO BE PROUD THAT THEY ARE MAKING STEPS EVERY DAY >> BRIDGETON MAYOR DISCUSSING HIS HOPE IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE CITIES MOST ARE NORMAL.

>> IS GOING TO BE NAMED GATEWAY TINY HOME VILLAGE, AND WHICH WE ARE GOING TO HOUSE THE CHRONIC HOMELESS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE PROJECT IS AN INITIATIVE GATEWAY COMMUNICATION ACTION PARTNERSHIP, WHICH THE MAYOR ALSO HELPS.

>> THE ECONOMY HAS NOT BEEN KIND TO A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS IN LIFE, BUT WE FOUND THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE, IF NOT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS.

SO, WE NEED TO WORK WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS SO THAT IN A LONGER SLEEPING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

>> THE PLAN IS TO PLACE SIX 100 SQUARE FOOT UNITS ON THIS LOT THAT WILL HAVE FOLDED BACK, SHELVING AND ELECTRICITY AS WELL AS CLIMATE CONTROLLED HEAT, AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.

SEPARATE UNITS WILL HOUSE BATHROOM AND KITCHEN FACILITIES.

>> IN THE CENTER AREA, WE MAY BE ABLE TO PUT THREE LARGE TABLES, JUST IN CASE WE STILL WIND UP WITH THE SOCIAL DISTANCING THING.

NICE UMBRELLAS, BENCHES, WE WILL HAVE SOCIAL SERVICE COME IN MAYBE FOR ONE OR TWO HOURS A DAY SO THEY CAN GET THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE THEY CAN GET THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS.

IS THE THINGS THAT ARE HOLDING THEM UP FROM MOVING FORWARD INTO GETTING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

>> Reporter: HOUSING IS ALREADY SEEING POSITIVE BENEFITS.

NEW YORK OPEN THIS HOUSING FACILITY IN MARCH KNOWN AS HOPE VILLAGE.

THIS PROVIDES A SHELTER FOR UP TO 24 PEOPLE USING SHIPPING CONTAINERS THAT HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO LIVING SPACES COMPLETE WITH BEDS, STORAGE, AND PRIVATE SHOWERS.

>> WE BEEN ABLE TO GET MORE THAN 8 INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYMENT.

WE'VE GOTTEN PEOPLE, THREE PEOPLE INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

WE'VE GOT 5 INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED INTO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND THERE ARE ABOUT 16 INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING INTO THEIR OWN APARTMENTS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A MODEL THAT HAS BEEN USED IN SEATTLE, OR LOS ANGELES.

>> ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THERE ARE OVER 9600 PEOPLE CONSIDERED TO BE HOMELESS IN NEW JERSEY IN 2020.

THAT NUMBER OF 9% FROM THE YEAR BEFORE, WHERE THERE WERE ABOUT 8800.

ADVOCATES SAY THE STATE COULD BENEFIT FROM MORE HOUSING INITIATIVES TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.

>> THIS IS GIVING THEM A PLACE TO BE ABLE TO GO, TO BE ABLE TO GET ALL THE ATTENTION THAT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS WHETHER IT IS DRUG ADDICTION, HOPING TO GET EMPLOYED, APPEARED TO BE ABLE TO GET A HOME.

>> HAS A RIGHT NOW, CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE GOAL TO GIVE RESIDENCE KEYS TO THEIR HOMES BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER COMES.

WHERE WE CAN HOUSE THE HOMELESS.

>> WE CAN TRANSITION THEM FROM THESE TO THE PERMANENT HOUSES AND MAKE THEM A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY,.

>> FROM MELISSA ROSE COOPER, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE LGBTQ I COMMUNITY HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO ACCESS AVAILABLE SERVICES OVER FEARS OF DISCRIMINATION SO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HAS PARTNERED WITH RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND THE HUDSON PRIDE CENTER TO PROVIDE ANTIDISCRIMINATION TRAINING TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN THE STATE.

I SAT DOWN WITH DEPUTY COMMISSIONER YESTERDAY TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THOSE EFFORTS.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, AND I WANT TO JUST GET RIGHT INTO IT HERE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BARRIERS MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY FACE THAT IS KEEPING THEM FROM SEEKING HELP AND HOMELESS RESOURCES THAT ARE OUT THERE?

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT WE KNOW, AND BASED ON ACTUALLY A REPORT THAT WAS DONE BY THE TRANSGENDER QUALITY TASK FORCE, THIS IS A TASK FORCE THAT WAS A RESULT OF A LEGISLATION SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY, FOUND THAT DESPITE EXISTING LAWS, PROTECTING INDIVIDUALS FROM DISCRIMINATION ON GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION, PEOPLE SURVEYED THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY CITED THAT THEY, THEY WERE FEARFUL OF ACCESSING CRITICAL SHELTER SERVICES DUE TO DISCRIMINATION, AND JUST PRIOR EXPERIENCES A FEELING LIKE ENVIRONMENTS WERE NOT WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE, AND DID NOT REALLY ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS.

>> CAN YOU SHARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE ANTIDISCRIMINATION TRAINING THAT YOU DEVELOPED?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE WORKED WITH TRUCKERS A SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, AND HUDSON PRIDE CENTER, AND SOME OF THE TRAINING REALLY COVERS A RANGE OF TOPICS VARYING FROM IMPLICIT BIAS, CULTURAL HUMILITY, THE BASICS OF GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPACT LGBTQ NEW JERSEYANS, AND REALLY, RATHER THE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AFFORDED TO THEM BY FEDERAL AND STATE LAW.

AND PART OF THE STRAIN REALLY COVERS AS WELL IS THE SHELTER PROVIDERS, PARTICULARLY HOW CAN THEY MAKE THEIR SPACES MORE WELCOMING, MORE INCLUSIVE, HOW CAN THEY IMPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF STAFF SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE BETTER TOOLS TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND RESPECTFULLY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LGBTQ ACCESSING THEIR SERVICES.

>> HOW HAS THAT BEEN GOING IN TERMS OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE BEING TRAINED DIFFERENTLY AND POTENTIALLY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE HELP?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR IN THE MAKING.

EVEN A PART OF THIS WAS REALLY, CREATES A TRAINING THAT WAS SPECIFIC TO THE TARGET AUDIENCE HERE.

AND, WE STARTED DELIVERING HERE.

THEN WE STARTED THESE TRAININGS IN JUNE.

SO FAR, WE HAVE TRAINED ABOUT 300 STAFF MEMBERS ACROSS SHELTERS IN OUR STATE, AND OTHER HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDERS.

THIS IS ABOUT 66 ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE TRAINING.

OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE TRAINING.

OUR GOAL IS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, INCREASE THAT NUMBER TO ABOUT 600 POINT >> DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> A NEW JERSEY OLYMPIC UP DATE.

TRENTON'S VERY OWN 19-YEAR-OLD NATIVE MADE HISTORY TODAY DURING THE SUMMER OLYMPICS.

THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL IN THE 800 METER RACE IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

SHE TOOK THE LEAD ONCE THE BELL WENT OFF AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.

FINISHING IN ONE MINUTE, 55.21 SECONDS.

THAT IS A U.S. RECORD.

SHE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST NEW JERSEY WOMAN TO WIN AN OLYMPIC MEDAL IN TRACK AND FIELD.

SYDNEY McGLOCKLIN AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER LOOKS TO MAKE IT TWO QUOTES FOR JERSEY.

SHE IS SET TO RUN LATER TONIGHT IN THE FINAL OF THE 400 METER HURDLES.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, OR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING ARE REPORTING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR TRACING THE DREAMS PROVIDED BY THE JMB FOUNDATION WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE PETERSON AND KERRY FUND.