Blog – Page 2

January 28, 2025

A Crisis We Can’t Ignore: Federal Funding Freeze Threatens Our Communities

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…

January 9, 2025

Client Success Story: Keeping a New Family Safe and Together

By Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director of The Waterfront Project At The Waterfront Project, we believe that housing is a fundamental human right, and every day, our team fights to protect that right for our community’s most vulnerable residents. Recently, we had the privilege of supporting a young family in their time of dire need. On December 31st, a new mother gave birth at a local hospital to a healthy…

December 23, 2024

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Housing Needs and Homelessness in Jersey City and Hudson County

In recent months, two comprehensive reports have shed light on the escalating housing crisis in Jersey City and Hudson County. The Jersey City Housing Needs Assessment by the Regional Plan Association and the 2024 Hudson County Point-In-Time Count by Monarch Housing Associates together paint a vivid and urgent picture of our community’s housing challenges. These findings not only underscore the critical gaps in affordability and housing stability but also offer a roadmap for addressing…

December 12, 2024

Navigating Eviction Prevention: Insights from HUD’s Latest Report

By Dante Lara, Housing Manager at The Waterfront Project, Inc. Affordable housing has become a nationwide crisis with devastating impacts, and the effects are particularly evident here in New Jersey. In Hudson County alone, homelessness has increased by a staggering 27% in 2024, according to NJ.com. This multifaceted issue affects millions of individuals and families—mentally, physically, and financially—and demands urgent attention and action. As Housing Manager at The Waterfront Project,…

November 21, 2024

RWJBarnabas Health Offers Name Change Services for Transgender and Non-Binary Community Members

Original Article: RWJBarnabas Health Offers Name Change Services For Transgender and Non-Binary Community Members Livingston, NJ, November 20, 2024 – RWJBarnabas Health is pleased to offer the Name Change Clinic, providing transgender and non-binary community members legal advice, services and guidance to legally affirm their names. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Legal Services of New Jersey and with volunteer support from The Waterfront Project, will provide legal advice through the Name Change…

November 20, 2024

A Rebuttal to Michael P. Hussar’s Letter “Rent Control Isn’t Needed and Will Only Reduce the Supply of Housing”

By Carol Sainthilaire As the Executive Director of The Waterfront Project, Inc., I must respectfully but firmly disagree with the recent opinion piece published in the Jersey City Times, which claims rent control is unnecessary and harmful to housing supply. This perspective ignores the reality of housing insecurity faced by thousands of residents in Jersey City and beyond. The Reality of Housing in Jersey City The author argues that Jersey City’s current housing…

August 29, 2024

How Philadelphia’s Right to Counsel is Bucking the Nationwide Surge in Evictions—and Why New Jersey Should Follow Suit

By Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director of The Waterfront Project. As the nation grapples with an unprecedented surge in evictions, one city is defying the trend: Philadelphia. According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia’s success in keeping eviction rates low can be largely attributed to its groundbreaking Right to Counsel program, which ensures that low-income tenants have access to legal representation when facing eviction. This initiative is…

The Misuse of Nuisance Property Laws: A Threat to Housing Stability and Tenant Rights

By Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director of The Waterfront Project At The Waterfront Project, our mission is to protect and empower tenants, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, stable housing. A recent article from USA Today highlights a growing concern that directly impacts our work: the misuse of nuisance property laws by landlords, a practice that threatens housing stability and undermines tenant rights. This issue is not only a…

August 27, 2024

Debunking Common Myths About Homelessness: A Focus on Housing, Not Misconceptions

By Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director of The Waterfront Project At The Waterfront Project, we are committed to addressing homelessness with clarity and compassion, grounded in facts and a deep understanding of the root causes. Recently, Jonathan Russell, Director of Alameda County Health, Housing, and Homelessness Services, shared a powerful reflection on LinkedIn that sheds light on the widespread misconceptions surrounding homelessness—misconceptions that have significant real-world consequences. The Politics of…

August 26, 2024

The Impact of the Supreme Court Ruling on Homelessness: A Call for Compassionate Housing Solutions

By: Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director at The Waterfront Project At The Waterfront Project, we believe that housing is a fundamental human right. Recent developments in the fight for fair housing have brought this belief into sharper focus, as the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on homelessness has sent ripples through communities and advocacy groups nationwide. This ruling, which allows local governments to criminalize homelessness even where no shelter options are…