CNBNews

Funding will bolster shelter services’ ability to provide vital support

(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez announced last week that she secured $1.5 million to assist the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness and its vast statewide network of shelter providers. The funding, appropriated in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, will support staff retention and expansion, ensuring the organization can continue to provide its critical services.

Assemblywoman Lopez met last Tuesday with advocates from the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness and HomeFront, a Mercer County social services organization that works with homeless individuals and families. Together, they discussed the impact this funding will have and reaffirmed the state’s dedication to combatting homelessness and assisting individuals and families who may be facing it.

“As Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee, I believe we can achieve the goal of ending homelessness in our state. I look forward to continuing to work with the Coalition and to help individuals become permanently housed because access to safe and affordable housing is a right,” said Assemblywoman Lopez (D-Middlesex). “This holiday season, it's important to remember, appreciate, and support all those who advocate to end homelessness and who work tirelessly to make sure that all New Jerseyans have a place to lay their heads at night.”    

“We are deeply grateful for Assemblywoman Lopez’s extraordinary leadership in securing this funding, which will help shelters across the state continue delivering life-changing services to those who need it most,” said Connie Mercer, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness. “This support comes at a critical time. Shelters across New Jersey are operating near or at full capacity, a situation that becomes even more dire as we transition into the harsh winter months.”

“So much of the work we do here is about helping families see their path to future stability, and our staff play a crucial role in this process,” said Sarah Steward, Chief Executive Officer of HomeFront. “In many instances, our caseworkers are the first point of contact for individuals in crisis, so being able to not only offer our compassion and support but to be a part of that journey every step moving forward makes all of the difference for our clients.”

Recently, Monarch Housing Associates released its annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in New Jersey. The annual survey, known as NJCounts, found a staggering 12,680 men, women, and children experienced homelessness across New Jersey on the night of January 23, 2024 – a 24% increase since 2023. This alarming rise is driven by several systemic challenges, including a critical shortage of affordable housing, rent increases that significantly outpace national averages, and declining rental vacancy rates. 

These findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated action to address New Jersey’s housing crisis and provide sustainable solutions for its most vulnerable residents.

“The increasing number of homeless individuals in our state serves as a stark reminder that we must act boldly and swiftly to address New Jersey’s housing crisis,” said Assemblywoman Lopez. “We cannot allow these systemic issues to continue leaving families without a roof over their heads.”