Community Needs Survey 2022
Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) needs your voice as a foundation for the next 3 years of our programming. The needs assessment results will help the GBCA Board create a strategic plan to initiate and support these programs and services.
We do NOT ask for your name in this survey. Your information will be kept anonymous.
Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to provide your views and recommendations!
1.
What county do you live in? Or if you do not live in one of these counties select which county you work in.
Bergen County
Hudson County
Passaic County
Other New Jersey County
Please think about your basic needs when answering questions 2 to 4.
2.
Below are items that people need assistance with from time to time. Please check all the items that you and your family have needed help in the past year.
Paying utility bills
Paying Rent or Mortgage
Addiction recovery
Mental health support
Transportation
Referral to a service
Medical help
Paying for medicine
Finding childcare
Paying for childcare
Early Childhood Education (0-5yrs)
Adult Education
Food
Senior services
Paying for home repairs
Finding a job
Help with a personal problem
Personal items, clothing, etc
Emergency shelter
Disability services
Legal services
Immigration services
Tenant/landlord issues
Banking (savings/checking)
Credit Builder Loan
Financial management
Short Term Loan
Prisoner re-entry
Veteran’s assistance
Home weatherization
Home-owner repairs
Life skills
Access to technology
Other (please specify)
3.
Are you able to meet your basic needs every month?
Yes, on my own
Yes, with help from a service organization
Sometimes
Not very often
4.
Do you know where to get assistance when you need it?
Yes
No
Sometimes
Please think about yourself and your family when answering questions 5 to 15.
5.
Do you have a checking account?
Yes
No
6.
Do you have a savings account?
Yes
No
7.
Have you ever applied for a payday or quick loan or used a check cashing store?
Yes
No
8.
Have you ever applied for a bank loan?
Yes
No
9.
If yes, did you receive a bank loan?
Yes
Sometimes
No
10.
Check the financial literacy services that you need. (Check all that apply)
Banking services education
Budgeting
Credit counseling
Saving for retirement
Saving in general
Homebuying
Avoiding predatory lending
None
Other (please specify)
11.
Do you use e-mail regularly?
Yes
No
12.
Do you text regularly?
Yes
No
13.
Does each member of your household have medical insurance coverage?
Yes
No
Some
Don’t know
14.
Which healthcare services are hardest to get? (Check all that apply)
Physical
Mental health
Ongoing conditions
Emergency care
Dental
Vision
None
Other (please specify)
15.
Which counseling services are hardest to get? (Check all that apply)
Overcoming trauma
Grief
Relationship
Depression
Diagnosed Mental Illness
None
Other (please specify)
16.
What barriers/challenges have you or your family experienced recently?
Housing I can afford
Transportation
Where to go when I need help
Discrimination
Unemployed/Underemployed in the last year
Finding employment
Reentry from prison/jail
Income does not meet needs
Other (please specify)
Please think about your neighbors and friends when answering questions 17 to 27.
17.
Are there accessible stores that sell fruits and vegetables?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
18.
Are there enough opportunities for children and youth?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
19.
Is quality education available for children of all ages?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
20.
Is affordable and adequate childcare available?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
21.
Are recreational opportunities available?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
22.
Are support groups available to meet your emotional needs?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
23.
Do you feel part of your community and welcome to attend public meetings/events?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
24.
Do you feel safe in your community?
Always
Usually
Rarely
25.
Which housing service is most needed in your community?
Emergency shelter
Rent/Mortgage assistance
Address vacant properties
Repair assistance
None
Other (please specify)
26.
Which transportation service is most needed in your community?
Improve public transportation
Help with the cost of public transportation
Assistance with personal vehicle
None
Other (please specify)
27.
What do you think are the top three areas of need of low-income people living in New Jersey? Select up to three areas of need
Healthcare
Employment opportunities
Transportation services
Counseling/education about money management
Safe, decent, and affordable housing
Assistance with nutrition and food
Housing related needs (utilities, rent, repairs)
Emergency services
Senior programs and services
Children’s service and programs for children
Other (please specify)
Please think about GBCA and/or Head Start services when answering questions 28 to 30.
28.
How familiar are you with Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA)’s services for low-income households and communities?
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not at all familiar
29.
Which of these describe you best?
I am currently using any Greater Bergen Community Action and/or Greater Bergen Head Start service
I have previously used any Greater Bergen Community Action and/or Greater Bergen Head Start service
I have not used Greater Bergen Community Action nor Greater Bergen Head Start service, but I know people who have
I currently work at or have been employed by Greater Bergen Community Action in any department, including Head Start.
None of these describe me
30.
Please check all of the Greater Bergen (GBCA) services and activities that you or your family need assistance within the next year.
High quality preschool (free) for my child aged 0-5
Help paying my energy bill
Help paying my rent
Guidance with a tenant/landlord matter
Pre purchase workshop for guidance in purchasing a home
Aged 16-24 out of school youth and want to earn high school equivalency diploma
Help becoming a US Citizen (Citizenship classes)
Learn English
Immigration support services
Help finding services I need
Home needs repaired and/or need help with new appliances
Benefits counseling
Need to learn how to manage my finances (budgeting)
Free checking, low-cost banking services
Financial education and credit repair
Increase credit score
Personal, business or home loan
Help getting out of debt
Parenting skills or family relations workshops
Seasonal help (holiday gifts)
Help making my home healthier
Housing I can afford
In danger of becoming homeless
Access to medical, mental health services
Aged 16-21 and need a group living arrangement
Need a sober living facility
Adult over 60 in household who needs assistance
COVID related testing/vaccines
Not applicable/Not interested
Other (please specify)
Please answer the following demographic questions to ensure we are hearing from a broad sample of residents.
31.
What city or town do you live in?
32.
What is your age
17 or younger
18 – 24
25 – 44
45 – 54
55 – 59
60 or over
33.
Race
White
Black/ African American
Asian
American Indian or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Multi-Race/More than one race
Other
34.
Ethnicity
Hispanic / Latino
Non-Hispanic / Not Latino
35.
Gender
Male
Female
Other
36.
How many people are in your household (live in the same house with you)?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
37.
Please select your annual family household income
less than $10,000
$10,000 to $14,999
$15,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $54,999
$55,000 to $59,999
$60,000 to $64,999
$65,000 to $69,999
$70,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $89,999
more than $90,000
38.
Tell us about your household / living arrangements
Single Person, No Children in Household
Single Parent (Mother only)
Single Parent (Father only)
Single Parent (Mother figure w/Partner)
Single Parent (Father figure w/Partner)
Two Adults, No Children in Household
Two Parent Household/Family
Two or more unrelated adults
Multi-generational Household
Other
39.
Please select what applies to you
US Citizen
Legal Permanent Resident
Visa
Asylee
Other
Prefer not to answer
40.
Select the highest level of education you have completed
Elementary
High School (no diploma)
High school graduate
GED/HSE
Certification Program
Some college (no degree)
2-year degree
4-year degree
Over 4-year degree
Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to our survey. Please click DONE to submit.
