Blog – Page 3

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…

July 29, 2024

Ending Evictions and Homelessness in New Jersey: Lessons from Just Cause Eviction Laws in Oregon and Washington State

By Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director at The Waterfront Project, Inc. On July 25th , the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) State and Local Innovation (SLI) project released an insightful case study on just cause eviction laws, highlighting successful efforts in Oregon and Washington State. This publication is a part of NLIHC’s State and Local Tenant Protection Series: A Primer on Renters’ Rights, aimed at shaping the conversation about state and local…

July 11, 2024

Hailing the Successes of WinnCompanies’ Eviction Prevention Program: Lessons for New Jersey

By Carol Sainthilaire At The Waterfront Project, we believe in the transformative power of housing stability. We have been inspired by the recent efforts of WinnCompanies, one of the largest affordable housing operators, and their eviction prevention program. Despite the challenges faced, their initiative has provided valuable insights into how we can strengthen our own efforts in New Jersey. The Successes WinnCompanies’ program initially achieved notable success by proactively intervening with tenants…

July 3, 2024

ADDRESSING JERSEY CITY AS THE SECOND HIGHEST RENT IN THE NATION

By Carol M. Sainthilaire and Alessandra Molina Reading this is bitter news to swallow on the heels of The Waterfront Project’s Justice for All Gala last week, where we chanted HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT. We know that Jersey City and Hudson County have become unaffordable, but it’s sobering to see the numbers. This is why preventing evictions and keeping people housed is so important and why we need to 1.…

June 13, 2024

Addressing the rent crisis: a call to action for hudson county and beyond

By Carol M. Sainthilaire – Executive Director of The Waterfront Project, Inc. As an employee of The Waterfront Project, Inc., I am deeply committed to the belief that housing is a fundamental human right. Our mission is to prevent homelessness through legal advocacy, housing counseling, and supportive services. Recent discussions, such as the one featured in the PBS NewsHour interview with Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Low Income Housing…

Addressing the Rising Tide of Homelessness Among Older Adults: A Call to Action

The Waterfront Project, Inc. (WFP) is acutely aware of the growing crisis of homelessness among older adults, a demographic that is among the fastest-growing in the nation. With projections indicating that the number of homeless individuals over 50 could triple by 2030, the urgency to act is now more pressing than ever. The Growing Challenge As reported by Next Avenue, older adults face unique challenges that predispose them to homelessness. Many are caught…

May 21, 2024

HUD Expands Solutions to Tackle Homelessness with Housing Vouchers

The Waterfront Project’s Housing Team is excited to share some groundbreaking news from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that promises to make a significant impact on the fight against homelessness. HUD has announced new flexibilities in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program that will expedite the process of providing housing assistance to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure…