Posted on: January 28, 2025 Posted by: Alessandra Molina Comments: 0

Written By Executive Director, Carol Sainthilaire


We are facing an unprecedented crisis that puts New Jersey’s most vulnerable families at immediate risk. The current Administration has just announced a freeze on all federal grants and loans—halting critical funding for nonprofits like The Waterfront Project (WFP), which provides essential services to low- and moderate-income families across Hudson County and beyond.

This federal action jeopardizes the free, life-saving programs we offer to keep families housed, financially stable, and connected to the resources they need to survive.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • Preventing evictions and keeping families in their homes.
  • Helping tenants access rental assistance and advocate for their rights.
  • Navigating public benefits and social safety-net programs.
  • Connecting survivors of domestic violence to housing and legal aid.

We cannot afford to wait for bureaucracy to untangle this disaster. The time to act is now. Please consider making a donation to The Waterfront Project to fill immediate funding gaps caused by this freeze and protect the free services our communities depend on every day.

A donation to WFP is 100% tax-deductible and will directly support our efforts to keep people safe, stable, and housed. Click below to help today.

Donate Now

The Waterfront Project is not alone in this fight. We stand in solidarity with our partners and allies working to protect New Jersey’s most vulnerable families. Together, we can weather this storm and continue fighting for housing justice.

We need YOUR voice to tell Congress TODAY what the impact would be of even a short-term disruption in obligation and disbursement activity to grants, loans, and other financial assistance in your community.

3 KEY WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TODAY

  • Call your lawmakers’ D.C. offices.
    • The Capitol Hill switchboard is (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the House or Senate office you request. Don’t know what to say? Please use this script or change it to convey your own message.   
    • “The freeze on federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance directed by the Trump Administration will have immediate and harmful impacts in our community.  Rent payments will be delayed to landlords, services will be disrupted, and frontline staff will likely miss their pay.  I urge your boss to contact the White House immediately and demand that this memorandum be rescinded, and federal agencies be instructed to continue operating their programs, as directed by Congress.” 
    • Please be sure to provide your name and address so the staff know you are a constituent, take you seriously, and will send you a written response.  

Thank you for your support.

In solidarity,
Carol Sainthilaire
Executive Director