Reports
Data, insights, and analysis shaping homelessness policy and practice in New Jersey.
A Compilation of The Latest Information
Extreme heat can be deadly for people experiencing homelessness. NJCEH’s Code Red Blueprint outlines both immediate and long-term actions New Jersey can take to protect people during dangerous heat events, from expanding emergency shelter and street outreach to building a coordinated statewide response that ensures communities are prepared before the next heat emergency.
REPORT: Addressing Homelessness: A Comparative Analysis of State Policies, Funding, and Responses to Federal Changes
In partnership with the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness, graduate students from Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy conducted a comprehensive analysis of how New Jersey and peer states invest in homeless services. The report found that New Jersey trails many comparable states in state funding dedicated to addressing homelessness, despite rising demand.
NJCEH's 2025 State of Emergency Shelter Survey examines the experiences of 56 shelters across New Jersey and highlights the growing pressures facing the state's homelessness response system. The report identifies critical challenges related to behavioral health, workforce shortages, funding stability, and affordable housing, while offering recommendations to strengthen shelter services and support long-term solutions to homelessness.
REPORT: Invest Now or Pay Later: Consequences of Ignoring the Mental Health Needs of New Jersey Children in Shelter
Children experiencing homelessness face higher rates of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), yet too many are unable to access the mental health care they need. In a report commissioned by NJCEH and developed by the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness, families and shelter staff identified significant barriers to care, including transportation challenges, long wait times, and services that fail to account for the realities of homelessness. The report found that New Jersey's current children's mental health system does not adequately meet the needs of children living in shelters and offers several recommendations to improve access to care and better support children and families experiencing housing instability.
Can individuals experiencing homelessness register to vote? Yes, people experiencing homelessness can register to vote in New Jersey. If they meet the basic voting eligibility requirements, they can register.
What address should unhoused voters use when registering? Unhoused voters can use a place where they can be contacted or stay often like a shelter, park, or street corner. It’s best to use an address where they can reliably receive mail, such as a shelter or other social service agency. Some county elections offices allow unhoused voters to use their address as a voter registration address. This differs by location so check with your local election offices before registering.
Can individuals experiencing homelessness register to vote? Yes, people experiencing homelessness can register to vote in New Jersey. If they meet the basic voting eligibility requirements, they can register.
What address should unhoused voters use when registering? Unhoused voters can use a place where they can be contacted or stay often like a shelter, park, or street corner. It’s best to use an address where they can reliably receive mail, such as a shelter or other social service agency. Some county elections offices allow unhoused voters to use their address as a voter registration address. This differs by location so check with your local election offices before registering.