5. a. Amounts raised by the surcharge imposed pursuant to N.J.S. 22A:4-17 as amended by section 8 of P.L.2009, c.123 shall be deposited into a “County Homelessness Trust Fund” to be created by the county and shall be used exclusively for the purposes authorized by P.L.2009, c.123 (C. 52:27D-287a et al.). Any interest or other income earned on monies deposited into the county trust fund shall be credited to the fund to be used for the same purposes as the principal. A county may deposit other funds into the County Homelessness Trust Fund, as it may, from time to time, deem appropriate.

b. No monies in the trust fund shall be utilized to pay or discharge the principal or interest on any indebtedness incurred for any purpose by the county or any other governmental entity.

c. Amounts raised by the surcharge must be expended for the purposes detailed in section 6 of P.L.2009, c.123 (C. 52:27D-287f) within four years of being collected.

d. Any monies in the trust fund that are not expended after four years will be transferred to the Department of Community of Affairs which will contract with a community based organization in the same county where the Homelessness Trust Fund exists for the purposes of P.L.2009, c.123 (C. 52:27D-287a et al.).

L.2009, c.123, s.5.