Homeless children. Those are two words that should never be in the same sentence. Yet family homelessness is increasing.

A new Report (pdf) by the Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness (ICPH) has concluded that since 2008, family homelessness in New Jersey has increased by over 40%. There has been an increase in the number of homeless children by nearly 14%.

The reasons cited for the increase in homelessness include unemployment (31.3%), eviction (25.7%), and the high cost of housing (22.3%). In Essex County, the home to the City of Newark, there was over an 136% increase in family homelessness. 

There are some positive things going on in New Jersey. Mercer County, home of the state capital Trenton, has a plan to end homelessness, and a nonprofit - Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness- working to implement this plan. Middlesex County, home to Rutgers University, also has a plan to end homelessness, and a nonprofit -Coming Home of Middlesex County - working to implement the plan. There is also the New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness, comprised of homeless advocates from around the state who have organized annual congressional receptions in Washington, D.C.

Even with these inspiring advocates working tirelessly to effect change, more help is needed. Demand that New Jersey Governor Christie make ending homelessness a priority of his administration!