Homelessness and High Housing Costs Impact Sussex County Families

by Stephanie Glowatski, Case Manager

With temperatures outside remaining low and the cost of living high, it is important to shed light on concerns facing many families and individuals across the state of New Jersey and right here, in Sussex County – homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. According to the National Coalition to End Homelessness, there are 388 people on any given night that are homeless in Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex County. Additionally, the cost of rents has continued to increase putting more and more people at risk of homelessness. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 83% of low-income households in New Jersey spend more than half of their monthly income on rent.

As we all know, normal daily living brings unexpected expenses like car repairs, medical bills, or missed work due to illness or inclement weather. For families using over half of their income to pay rent, unexpected costs like this impact their ability to keep a roof over their head.

Family Promise of Sussex County is one of many organizations working hard to address this housing crisis facing families and individuals in New Jersey. As a case manager, I work every day with families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Family Promise of Sussex County offers a wide variety of programs, including utility assistance, financial counseling, arrears assistance for families facing eviction, mobile outreach to find and assist people experiencing homelessness and case management to help families connect to vital community resources, such as food, health care and employment assistance.

As a community, we can work to address the housing crisis we are facing. To learn more about how to you can help Family Promise of Sussex County support families and individuals in need visit https://familypromisesussex.org.