Who We Are
We are a statewide coalition working to ensure homeless in New Jersey is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Mission
The New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness is a statewide, social impact organization with one goal: to eradicate homelessness in New Jersey. We advocate, educate, organize, and, when necessary, litigate for emergency and permanent solutions.
What Makes Us Different
NJCEH works across New Jersey’s full homeless response system to drive coordinated, statewide solutions. We bring together providers, policymakers, and people with lived experience to ensure efforts are aligned and effective.
We are not a direct service provider. Our role is to strengthen the system itself by connecting policy to practice, supporting frontline organizations, and advancing strategies that improve outcomes at scale.
We’re leading the charge for systemic change and boots-on-the-ground solutions so homelessness in New Jersey is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
History
In 2011, attorney Jeffrey Wild secured an injunction to stop the demolition of a large encampment of individuals experiencing homelessness in Lakewood, New Jersey. He later won a consent decree guaranteeing housing for every resident living there. During this same period, Wild founded the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness to advocate for the rights of people experiencing homelessness across New Jersey. This work was personal. His father, who helped fund his education at Columbia University, had experienced homelessness during the Great Depression.
Today, NJCEH serves as a statewide connector and resource across the homeless response system. Over the past few years, we have grown quickly and with intention under the leadership of CEO Connie Mercer. What was a single part-time role in 2023 is now a team of seven staff, supported by Princeton University Fellows, interns, volunteers, and consultants. This growth reflects both rising need across New Jersey and a clear focus on strengthening the systems that serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
