Breaking News: New Jersey Homeless Totals Keep Climbing! 

• Homeless Crisis Escalates Across New Jersey

• Affordable Housing Shortages Fueling Displacement

• Lawmakers Face Pressure to Act as Totals Climb

• Communities Struggle to Support Growing Needs

New Jersey is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as the state’s homeless population continues to grow, hitting alarming new levels in 2025. Advocates, residents, and officials alike are raising red flags as shelters reach capacity and more people are forced to sleep on the streets, in cars, or in makeshift camps.

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While economic strain and housing shortages remain at the core of the issue, local leaders warn that without immediate policy intervention, the problem could spiral even further out of control.

According to Patch, this week, the nonprofit advocacy group Monarch Housing Associates released the results of their "Points In Time" Count, which they conducted in 2025.

According to researchers, "there were 13,748 people experiencing homelessness in New Jersey on the night of January 28th, an 8 percent increase from 2024. It’s the highest number recorded since 2014, when there were 13,900 people counted."

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What are the main causes of homelessness in the state?

• Asked to leave shared residence – 1,930
• Eviction (or risk of eviction) – 1,613
• Loss or reduction of job income – 1,547
• Drug/alcohol abuse – 776
• Mental illness – 733

In addition, there are 1,484 homeless families. There are 543 homeless veterans.

What are your thoughts on the homeless crisis in New Jersey? Please let us know your thoughts and how you would approach this issue. Post your comments below.