NEW JERSEY – In response to the shocking report that New Jersey’s homeless population has increased 24% from 2023 to 2024, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) has called on local, state, and federal leaders to come together to finally address the State’s homelessness crisis and the complete lack of an affordable option for the Garden State.
“Homelessness is a human issue that transcends our political environment,” said Bucco. “A 24 percent increase in homelessness is simply unacceptable. We have the tools at our disposal to devise a comprehensive plan to eradicate this crisis but we cannot allow egos to get in the way of helping our fellow citizens.”
According to a recent NJ.com article, New Jersey’s homeless population grew to over 12,000 this year, with children making up more than one-fifth of the total.
“I was proud to vote yes on establishing the Interagency Council on Homelessness but clearly that is not enough. This is just the latest evidence that the way the State has approached this issue is simply not working,” Bucco continued. “Now is not the time to point fingers, but it is past time we get our heads out of the sand, do the work our constituents sent us to Trenton to do, and help people get off the streets. Everyone needs a seat at the table—from those who experience homelessness to the State agencies that oversee its prevention—and have an honest conversation with all possible solutions so we can find the best response.”
The top three factors given that contributed to homelessness were: being asked to leave a shared residence, loss or reduction of job income, and eviction or risk of eviction.
Morris County’s homeless population rose at the third highest rate of 45.9%, going from 466 in 2023 to 680 in 2024. That is in addition to their 32.8% increase from 2022 to 2023 where it rose from 351 to 466.
Senator Bucco has long been an advocate to help those struggling with homelessness and affordability, and has sponsored the following bills to address the crisis:
- S825, Exempts persons with disabilities and persons who are homeless from payment of identification card fees.
- S889, Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters.
- S2573, Directs DCA to end veteran homelessness within three years.
- SCR84, Urges U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development to prioritize transitional housing for homeless individuals and families, including survivors of domestic violence.
