The State of Homelessness in NJ
We believe in a New Jersey where no one is forced to sleep outside and where every man, woman, and child has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. We will continue working alongside our partners across the state until that vision becomes a reality.
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Yet across New Jersey, tens of thousands of our neighbors are sleeping in shelters, living in their cars, doubling up with family, or spending nights outside because housing has become increasingly out of reach.
The reasons are complex, but the reality is clear. The cost of housing continues to climb faster than wages. Affordable homes are in short supply. Many individuals and families are one unexpected medical bill, job loss, or personal crisis away from losing their housing. At the same time, homeless service providers are working at or beyond capacity, struggling to meet a level of need that continues to grow.
The numbers tell a sobering story. By the end of 2025, nearly three people were entering homelessness for every one person exiting to permanent housing, creating a backlog that our homeless response system simply cannot absorb. Without meaningful investment in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and homeless response services, that gap will continue to widen.
But behind every statistic is a person: a child trying to stay in school, a veteran rebuilding their life, an older adult on a fixed income, or a working family doing everything right and still unable to afford a home.
Understanding the current state of homelessness helps us understand why our work matters and why the solutions must match the scale of the crisis.
The Crisis at a Glance
-
70% increase in homelessness over the past four years
-
172,000+ people were homeless or sought out homelessness prevention services in 2025 in New Jersey
-
Nearly 3 people entered homelessness for every 1 person who exited in December 2025
The Changing Demographics
-
The proportion of homeless adults ages 65+ will triple by the year 2030 from 2019 levels.
-
In 2024, the nation saw a record 39% increase in family homelessness.
-
53% of homeless people living in shelters nationwide were employed.
-
Homelessness continues to disproportionately impact communities of color and people with disabilities. Black residents account for 47% of New Jersey's homeless population, 24% are Latino, and nearly 45% report one or more disabilities.
Why More People Are Losing Their Homes
-
New Jersey faces a shortage of nearly 200,000 affordable homes for extremely low-income households.
-
A worker must earn $43.89/hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental apartment in New Jersey, making NJ the 5th most expensive state for renters in the country.
-
From 2021 to 2023, rents went up on average 30% in New Jersey as rising rents and stagnant wages pushed more households into housing instability.
A System Under Extraordinary Pressure
-
Shelters regularly operate at 94–128% average occupancy.
-
More than 233,000 calls to NJ 211 sought housing or shelter assistance in 2025.
-
Providers are increasingly called upon to address complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs alongside housing crises.
