Housing is a human right.
We believe that safe, stable, and affordable housing is a basic human right and the foundation for individual and community well-being in New Jersey.
Our members pledge to advance Housing First policies, principles, and fight against the increasing policy choice of municipalities in this state to criminalize the unhoused.
We are a collaborative of like-minded New Jerseyans that agree on the best way to end homelessness is housing.
Housing as a Fundamental Right
Our members believe that safe, stable, and affordable housing is a basic human right and the foundation for individual and community well-being.
We pledge to eliminate artificial preconditions or limitations on accessing housing and support services (if we are a service provider) and to advance these practices to providers if we are an ally or are unhoused. This includes advocating for all state funded programs in New Jersey to affirm, at the organizational level, Housing First principles and removing requirements related to sobriety, treatment acceptance, or income thresholds as prerequisites for housing assistance.
Comprehensive Support Services
While housing and homelessness advocacy is our primary focus, we acknowledge the importance of voluntary, client-centered support services to promote housing stability and overall well-being. We aggressively fight outdated models of care, their proponents, and work to dismantle the program and power structures that reinforce their entrenchment in New Jersey’s homelessness response system.
Opposition to Criminalization
We strongly oppose the criminalization of homelessness and commit to advocating against laws and policies that penalize individuals for their housing status. We believe in addressing homelessness through supportive services and housing solutions, not through the criminal justice system.
"Let’s decide to end homelessness in New Jersey. And along the way, let’s not make it harder for people trying desperately to find a safe place to sleep every night by making that harsh reality illegal. We need housing, not handcuffs."
— Richard Uniacke, Co-founder, NJHAC
NJHAC is a collaborative body that engages politically to realize the change we want to see. We are service providers, persons with lived experience of housing insecurity, funders, and allies that work together using a shared-decision making model to influence local, county, state, and federal policies and politics that influence homelessness and housing insecurity in our state.
Every member of NJHAC has a share in the effort and alignment with our principles is a requirement for membership.
Contact us
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
If you are interested in joining our collaborative, please use the Sign-Up button at the top of our site.
Email
info@njhomelessness.org