New Jersey is seeing the highest number of people experiencing homelessness in the state in over a decade, according to the state’s latest annual point-in-time count report. The rise, many housing advocates say, can be attributed to an “affordability crisis” in which soaring housing costs have curtailed access to housing for many of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Over the summer, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a $58.8 billion annual budget, New Jersey’s largest ever. While the spending plan allocated millions of dollars to a variety of initiatives aimed at combating homelessness, lawmakers cut funding for one nonprofit’s long-standing housing first program that has a proven track record of keeping people housed who were once chronically homeless. That nonprofit, the Camden Coalition, is still trying to find money to continue funding the program.
A bill pending before state lawmakers would allow for the nonprofit to receive $1.5 million in supplemental appropriations, part of which would help to continue funding their housing program. However, there is no guarantee the bill will be signed into law before the lame duck session of the Legislature ends in January.
The rise in homelessness across the state comes amid changes to homelessness funding and policy from the federal government. In November, the Trump administration upended its homelessness policy with deep cuts to funding for long-term housing. The administration shifted money towards transitional housing that has work requirements and addiction-treatment mandates. The move is among the latest from the Trump administration aimed at reducing spending on programs that have helped people remain in housing and provided access to federal disability benefits.
Here are several of NJ Spotlight News stories highlighting these issues from the past year:
We’re in this together.
For a better-informed future.
Support our nonprofit newsroom.
