Homelessness In Newark: ‘Hope Village 2’ Builds On Earlier Success

NEWARK, NJ — Newark continues to attack its homelessness problem with an innovative solution: transforming old, unused buildings and structures into housing.

On Monday, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Hope Village II at 51-63 Elizabeth Avenue in Newark. The community is able to provide housing for 20 people experiencing homelessness – a chronic need in New Jersey’s largest city.

To create Hope Village II, the city and its partners refashioned several old shipping containers into new, dorm-style rooms. Grouped into five, four-bedroom units, the living spaces include private shower facilities, furniture and artwork hanging on the walls (see photos in the gallery above).

The community has an administrative office for support staff and a multi-purpose space for its residents. It also has a park, community gardens and greenhouses.

Residents of Hope Village II – some of whom may have a disabling condition or who have spent prolonged time on the streets – can get access to a range of support services as they rest and recover. They can also get help finding more permanent housing.

According to city officials, the first Hope Village – which launched in 2021 – has seen success with this approach, helping 53 people to find permanent homes.

• See Related: Newark Transforms Empty Storage Containers Into Homeless Shelters

“We realized during the pandemic that the city needed more housing-first options for chronic and street homeless residents, and out of that tragedy, a new model was developed,” said Luis Ulerio, director of the city’s Office of Homeless Services.

The Hope Villages aren’t the only time that Newark has taken this approach to creating emergency housing in recent years.

In 2021, the city announced plans to turn an old, unused school into a 24,000-square-foot facility will provide “24/7” emergency shelter and supportive services all year round for homeless residents of Newark and other nearby Essex County towns.

• See Related: Newark Is Turning An Old School Into A Huge Homeless Shelter

“There are cities in the U.S. that are debating their right to tear down ‘tent cities,’ and of people’s rights to live on the street,” Mayor Ras Baraka said at Monday’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

“But here in Newark, as we focus on the roots of homelessness and lasting solutions, our discussions center on how best to bring safety, security and comfort to our unhoused residents,” Baraka said.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

The Newark City Council has approved up to $4.78 million for Hope Village II, according to TAP Into Newark.

The project has also seen support from other sources.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, said the Hope Village projects are a “testament to our collective commitment to compassion and action.”

Pintor Marin, who represents the city in the 29th District, said the state has allocated crucial funds through the fiscal year 2024 budget for the City of Newark’s Homeless Housing Program.

“Through this initiative, we are not merely providing shelter – we are restoring dignity, fostering resilience and offering a pathway to stability,” she said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided funding to the “’Come As You Are’ Bridge Housing Community” through its Office of Community, Planning and Development, which assists local governments with homelessness and housing.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is also a priority for the HUD, and this development contributes to closing the long-standing gap between supply and demand of affordable homes,” acting HUD Newark Field Office Director Carleton Lewis said.

According to Newark city officials, other support was seen from groups and people including:

CONSTRUCTION – “The United Community Corporation’s YouthBuild program, a program to help disconnected young people earn their GEDs and on-the-job experience, provided essential demolition and carpentry on site, while enabling workers to improve skill proficiencies. Over several months, multiple groups of youth finished the floors, assembled furniture, and completed both interior and exterior painting to help turn the containers into homes.”

TECH UPGRADES – “Jim Pelliccio, Chair of the City of Newark Commission on Homelessness and President and CEO of The Port Newark Container Terminal, contributed funding and expertise toward this project. His support enabled technological upgrades to the physical infrastructure, allowing internet access that will enhance residents’ quality of life.”

FURNISHINGS, LIAISON SERVICES – “RWJBarnabas Health supported the project by partnering to fund furnishings, as well as provide liaison services to connect residents with healthcare resources. Through its support, residents of the bridge housing community will be able to move into newly-furnished spaces with comfortable couches and chairs, computer stations, and other amenities necessary for daily living. By designating a community health worker to engage with residents, RWJBarnabas Health fulfills the medical component required as part of the mayor's plan to ensure that chronically homeless Newarkers have the medical and mental health supports needed for their transition to independence.”

FINANCE – “Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world and is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies, supported Newark in the creation of the original Hope Village, and continues to provide ongoing assistance and capacity as the city expands and improves upon the model.”

NATURE – “The Come As You Are grounds will be further beautified by a generous donation from the Nature Conservancy to include 30 evergreen trees, 37 shrubs, and 16 ornamental trees on the site. In addition, Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health (REACH) will maintain the garden spaces as well as offer food and nutrition education opportunities and aeroponics workshops.”

Other support for the project was seen from Hamlett Development LLC, eP2 Civil Engineering, NJIT Hillier School of Architecture and Design, On-It Construction, Project for Empty Space, Think Wilder Architecture, Interport, United Community Corporation, Jacobs Architecture, Rutgers Department of Family and Community Health Sciences, Avatar Tech LLC, Invest Newark, the Newark People's Assembly, and PSE&G.

To get volunteer, get involved, or receive more information about the City of Newark’s Office of Homeless Service, email Endhomelessness@ci.newark.nj.us.

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HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING IN NEWARK

The issue of homelessness isn’t new in Newark, the most populated city in New Jersey.

Essex County – which is home to Newark and nearly two dozen other municipalities – routinely leads the state in the number of homeless residents, other research shows.

There were 1,712 people experiencing homelessness in Essex County on the evening of Jan. 24, 2023 – about 17 percent of the entire state’s total. The vast majority of them (1,361 people) were counted in Newark, according to Monarch Housing Associates, which released the results of its latest “point in time count” in August.

When asked why they were homeless, the most commonly cited reason was “being asked to leave a shared residence” (35 percent). The next most-common reasons were “eviction or risk of eviction” (20%), and “loss or reduction of job income” (9%).

• See Related: Essex County's Homeless Total Drops, But Still Leads New Jersey, Study Says

Housing and homelessness have been a constant hot-button issue among local advocates.

“The city of Newark hasn’t even scratched the surface on housing that meets the needs of its homeless population and low-income residents,” a local activist charged at a 2022 protest outside the annual MTV Music Video Awards.

• See Related: Protesters Decry Poverty, Lack Of Housing At MTV Awards

However, over the past several years, the city has been taking a multi-pronged approach to the problem.

In 2022, Mayor Ras Baraka announced that there is a plan to end “chronic homelessness” in Newark by 2025. Read More: Here's The Plan To End 'Chronic Homelessness' In Newark

That effort has been paying off, city officials announced in November.

The latest state data shows that Newark has seen a “staggering” drop in people experiencing homelessness over the past year, officials said.

Newark officials pointed to a 57.6 percent reduction in the city’s unsheltered homeless population, as seen in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) annual report. Currently, there are 1,627 people experiencing homelessness in Newark – down from 3,841 on this date in 2022.

Newark has also made strides towards increasing the amount of housing available for low and moderate-income residents in recent years, as well as increasing protections for people who rent their homes.

• See Related: 'Affordable' Isn't Affordable: Newark's Plan To Create More Housing
• See Related: Corporations Own Most Of Newark's Homes. New Laws Are Pushing Back
• See Related: City Council Beefs Up Rent Control Laws In Newark

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