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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

Tag: New Jersey

Rental Assistance and Lack of Affordable Housing

Chronic poverty leads many to South Jersey motel roomsBy Kim Mulford, May 16, 2014, Courier-Post: “Charlene Ahing, her fiance and their baby boy have been living in a room at the Red Carpet Inn in Pemberton since October. The 36-year-old couple both have health problems, no jobs, no car and no permanent place to call home. They receive assistance from Burlington County to stay at the Browns Mills motel. Though there are few cars in the parking lot, the motel is filled with families like Ahing’s. Her room includes a small refrigerator and a microwave, making it expensive to eat. They would rather live in an apartment, but can’t find a better place that will accept Temporary Rental Assistance. ‘It’s been horrible,’ notes Ahing, holding a fuzzy blue blanket around her pink-cheeked baby. ‘Every month, you hope that welfare’s going to pay your rent. I don’t know what I would do if they stopped paying for this.’ There is no easy way out, advocates say. . .”

 

Homeless Encampments

America’s homeless: The rise of Tent City, USA, By Blake Ellis, May 16, 2014, CNN Money: “Homeless encampments known as “tent cities” are popping up across the country. Formed as an alternative to shelters and street-living, these makeshift communities are often set up off of highways, under bridges and in the woods. Some have “mayors” who determine the rules of the camp and who can and can’t join, others are a free-for-all. Some are overflowing with trash, old food, human waste and drug paraphernalia, others are relatively clean and drug-free. . .”

Kids Count Report – New Jersey

  • Hunterdon tops NJ ranking of best counties for kids, Cumberland ranks last, By Peggy McGlone, April 24, 2014, Star-Ledger: “Hunterdon County is the best place in the state for children, according to new rankings and county profiles released today by the Advocates for the Children of New Jersey. Cumberland County ranked last in the annual ‘Kids Count’ report, which measures the state’s 21 counties in 13 categories, including poverty, health, safety and education…”
  • South Jersey counties lag state in children’s health, welfare issues, By Diane D’Amico, April 24, 2014, Press of Atlantic City: “Atlantic and Cumberland counties rank the lowest for child welfare according to the New Jersey Kids Count report released today. Cape May and Ocean counties both improved their rankings. Cumberland County ranks 21st out of the state’s 21 counties, down from 20th last year. Atlantic County moved down from 19th to 20th. Cape May County improved from 18th to 15th, and Ocean County improved from 13th to 10th. The annual report is released by Advocates for Children of New Jersey, or ACNJ, to highlight issues affecting children in the state. It includes data on family income, housing access, birth rates and state test results…”