In a moment of deep housing insecurity across New Jersey, one story stands out as a beacon of hope: Newark has reduced unsheltered homelessness by more than 30% in just four years. This achievement, led by the city and Essex County’s coordinated Office of Homeless Services, shows that systemic change is possible when communities invest in housing solutions that meet people where they are.
The strategies behind Newark’s success are straightforward but powerful:
- Centralized coordination that prevents people from falling through the cracks.
- Stronger outreach teams that connect directly with residents living on the streets.
- Retention of frontline staff to ensure trust and consistency in services.
- Integrated supports like shelter navigation, case management, and access to benefits.
For The Waterfront Project (WFP), this victory is more than a local headline—it is proof that housing-first, wraparound approaches work. In Hudson County, where more than 6,000 eviction filings have occurred since last year, too many of our neighbors still teeter on the brink of homelessness. Every eviction prevented through legal advocacy and housing counseling is one more family spared the trauma of displacement. Newark’s progress shows that with the right investments, prevention and stabilization strategies can transform outcomes for entire communities.
But we must also be clear: while Newark’s success is inspiring, the crisis is far from over. Across New Jersey, thousands of residents are still unhoused or at imminent risk of losing their homes. The recent diversion of $125 million from New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund threatens to deepen these challenges, leaving only a fraction of resources to meet massive demand. This makes community-based legal advocacy and housing counseling—like the services WFP provides—more critical than ever.
At WFP, we believe that housing is a human right. Stability and dignity should not be reserved for the few who beat the odds. Newark’s achievement reminds us of what is possible when government, nonprofits, and communities align around solutions rooted in equity and compassion.
Article citation: Newark Reduces Unsheltered Homelessness by 30% – Community Solutions
Join Us in Building Housing Justice
We witness tenants, seniors, families, and individuals facing eviction every single day. With your support, we can strengthen housing stability here in Hudson County, just as Newark has done across the river.
✅ Donate today to sustain free legal representation and housing counseling.
✅ Volunteer or partner with WFP to expand outreach and advocacy.
✅ Advocate for fully funded housing programs that prevent homelessness before it begins.
Together, we can make housing justice a reality—not just in Newark, but across all of New Jersey.