NJ Homelessness Initiative

The New Jersey Homelessness Awareness Initiative was created to raise awareness about the increasing rates of homelessness within New Jersey post-pandemic and to focus on the challenges faced by families addressing homelessness in our state. Disproportionately affecting families of color, New Jersey’s rates of homelessness have been on the rise even before the pandemic hit. Families with children made up about 30% of the total homeless population in 2020, with nearly 54,000 family households experiencing homelessness in one single. That number has been increasing by 3-4% annually year on year. With a recession looming, the Homelessness Awareness Initiative feels NJ’s families will be more challenged than ever in the coming years to weather the storm. This project was developed with the intention of supporting NJ’s families through creating awareness, raising funds, and offering support. Our project seeks to bring awareness about the challenges New Jersey’s families face in their homelessness, the different impacts homelessness has on families and what local communities can do to turn the tide on this scourge.