Stories Of Homelessness In Newark ‘Broke My Heart’: Senate Candidate

NEWARK, NJ — She was once homeless herself. And if any U.S. Senate candidate is qualified to advocate for the housing challenges that other New Jersey residents are struggling with, it’s Christina Khalil.

Earlier this month, Khalil – who is running as Green Party of New Jersey candidate in the 2024 election – visited Newark on a petition drive. While in the Brick City, she spoke with some families who have had their own struggles with homelessness.

• See Related: Formerly Homeless NJ Senate Candidate Rages Against The Machine

We recently spoke with Khalil about her recent visit to Newark. Here’s what she told us.

PATCH: Can you share some of the stories you heard about the local struggle with homelessness?

KHALIL: “One family said they fought to help get Mayor Ras Baraka and other Democrats elected and are now homeless because of the gentrification in Newark and the unaffordable prices. They also shared how they spoke to U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who told them he would help and has ignored their calls and refused to speak with them.

“Another family I spoke with, all smiled through the pain. They were so thankful to see someone who cared in Newark to listen to them. They shared they are homeless and doing everything they can to make their kids happy with their current situation. They asked me to make sure they get affordable housing when in office. They asked me about my plans about healthy food and asked for gardens and more greens across the city. I shared about policies of removing toxic food and replacing them with healthy foods and making New Jersey the real ‘Garden State.’

“They were so happy to hear my plans detailed out. Many others were struggling but were thankful that a politician saw them as human beings and not just used for votes. They said they are no longer interested in voting because of what fighting for their politicians never got them anywhere.

“I was told by many how they have been rejected for having vouchers or being on Section 8. There is no law to protect them or organizations to help due to funding cuts and lack of resources. They shared landlords can charge them a fee just to be considered.”

PATCH: How does this make you feel as someone who has experienced similar struggles?

KHALIL: “It broke my heart. It reminded me of the feelings of I experienced when I was homeless. It brought me back to how I even sent letters to government officials asking for help and was ignored as well. I was only a vote and not a human being that deserved any dignity or respect.

“I understand it's me against a giant corporation of millionaire politicians. It also reminds me why I can't give up this fight. I met beautiful families with beautiful children. They deserved a safe place to call home. The children deserved a home and their own beds to sleep in.

“There is a challenge though: I'm poor and do not have the same access to money as my competitors. How do I motivate people, who don't know who I am, who have been so burned and harmed by politicians to come out and vote for me? How do I get exposure to them? How to motivate people who are experiencing so much pain to put their trust in me?

PATCH: What are your specific plans to address this problem if elected to the U.S. Senate?

KHALIL: “The United States is facing a housing crisis, with more than 16 million homes/apartments vacant and an increasing number of residents being saddled into rental properties. Home ownership rates are on decline, and the rate of houseless individuals continues to climb.

“This campaign supports a myriad of solutions, including: access to public banking, increasing the minimum wage, supporting local community investments, robust regulation of the housing market, the termination of luxury apartment contracts, and the expansion of public housing through amending the Faircloth Amendment.

“[Also], make sure all payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) apartments built have between 40 and 50 percent of units that are affordable. They will be a mix of Section 8, vouchers or income-based (all of them will be accepted). Also, create policies to prevent residents in the town from picking up the tax payments that corporations [using] the PILOT programs cause them.

“Currently the PILOT programs are not meant to be affordable housing: they are meant to line the pockets of the politicians and investors. As well as designed to hurt the homeowners in the town because their taxes go up.”

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