NEWARK – New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis is reaching alarming levels, and now, federal job cuts are making things even worse. Rising homelessness, skyrocketing property taxes, and a severe shortage of affordable rental units have left many residents struggling.
But instead of addressing these issues, recent federal decisions are putting even more people at risk. Senator Andy Kim (D) and other officials are speaking out against mass firings of federal workers who help vulnerable residents access safe and affordable housing.
In a recent press conference outside a Newark high-rise, Kim called these job cuts an “attack” on public service. “We cannot fire dedicated workers and call it efficiency,” said Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10).
These layoffs have sparked legal battles, with judges temporarily reinstating some workers. However, uncertainty remains, and New Jersey’s housing programs are now in jeopardy.
Thousands Rely on Federal Housing Support—But Help Is Disappearing
The impact of these cuts is massive. Almost 300,000 New Jersey residents depend on federal housing programs, including nearly 40,000 in one district alone. However, with fewer HUD employees, assistance programs are struggling to keep up with demand.
Mohammed AbdelRaheem, a former HUD engineer, was among those abruptly fired. His job involved investigating housing complaints, ensuring public housing met safety standards, and exposing fraud. “Some of these cases involve life-threatening conditions,” he said. “Now, I worry about what happens to those complaints.”
This issue isn’t just about jobs—it’s about real families losing access to housing assistance when they need it most.
Cuts Come at the Worst Possible Time for Affordable Housing Efforts
New Jersey is preparing for its fourth round of affordable housing obligations under the Mount Laurel Doctrine—a legal requirement for towns to provide housing for lower-income residents. But these federal cuts could stall progress.
Staci Berger, president of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, warns that this funding is critical. “Only 1 in 4 families who qualify for rental assistance actually get it,” she said. “Instead of cutting jobs, we should be expanding these programs.”
Without federal support, thousands of New Jersey residents may find themselves in unstable housing situations, pushing the crisis to even greater extremes.
Success Stories Show Why Housing Assistance Matters
Gabriel Douglas is proof that affordable housing programs change lives. Raised in Trenton, she struggled with poverty and homelessness as a teenage mother. Thanks to housing assistance, she was able to rebuild her life, and eventually worked in Trenton to help others in similar situations.
“There are thousands of people just like me who have relied on these programs to break the cycle of poverty,” Douglas said. “Cutting funding now will hurt the most vulnerable.”
Lawmakers like Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) are pushing back against these cuts, with some legal challenges already gaining traction. But the fight is far from over.
The Bigger Picture: Who Really Benefits from These Cuts?
Critics argue that these job losses aren’t about efficiency—they’re about shifting resources away from essential public services. Senator Kim called out the hypocrisy of billionaires like Elon Musk, who have received billions in government contracts while attacking public workers as “overpaid.”
“It’s not about saving money—it’s about padding their wallets,” Kim said. “Instead of funding housing for those in need, they’re handing out tax cuts to the ultra-rich.”
For New Jersey residents already struggling with housing costs, these cuts could be devastating. The question now is: Will lawmakers step up and stop this crisis from getting worse?
