Designates November of each year as "New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month."

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Gerry Scharfenberger

Designates November each year as New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month to boost public awareness and support for related programs.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee

Summary of AJR 187 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Main purpose

AJR 187 designates November of each year as “New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month.” The resolution expresses the state’s intent to heighten awareness of homelessness among children and youth and to encourage public support for programs addressing this issue.

Key provisions

Designation: November shall be observed annually as New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month.

Governor’s proclamation: The Governor may issue an annual proclamation urging public officials and all residents to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities.

Effective date: The resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Background context referenced

The resolution includes a series of statements and statistics to underscore the scope and impact of homelessness among children and youth, including:
- National context estimates for homeless children and youth in various age groups (e.g., about 1.1 million in K-12 settings during 2020–2021; significantly younger children and older youth in other years).
- Health, child welfare, and education risks linked to homelessness (e.g., higher illness risk for homeless infants; increased child welfare involvement; attendance challenges).
- Education and well-being correlations (e.g., high school homelessness linked to suicide risk and dating violence; lack of education as a key homelessness risk factor; lower graduation rates for homeless students).
- New Jersey-specific Point-In-Time Count (as of January 25, 2022): 6,631 homeless households (8,754 individuals); 988 families with children; 1,750 chronically homeless individuals; 978 unsheltered individuals; homeless youth (defined as heads of households 24 years old or younger) comprised 8.9% of the count (780 individuals); unchanging homelessness rates across rural, suburban, and urban areas.
- Circumstances often accompanying homelessness: poverty, low education/employment, substance misuse, mental illness, lack of affordable housing, family conflict.
- COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on homeless populations.

Who is affected

Homeless children and youth in New Jersey (the primary focus of awareness efforts).

Public officials, educators, social service providers, and community members who participate in or support observance activities.

The broader public through proclamation-driven awareness and potential program promotion.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Legislative action: AJR 187 is a joint resolution, meaning it designates a observance but does not create new funding or substantive mandates.

Sponsor: Primary sponsor information included; co-sponsor Gerry Scharfenberger is noted.

Committee: Referred to the Assembly Housing Committee (as of the action history).

Timeline: Designation applies annually starting with the current or upcoming November; proclamation by the Governor each year is encouraged but not required by statute.

Enactment status: Introduced and pending committee consideration as of the action history.

Overall impact

AJR 187 is an affirmative, symbolic measure aimed at increasing awareness of homelessness among children and youth in New Jersey. It seeks to mobilize public attention, programs, and community involvement during November each year, potentially fostering greater support for policies and services that help mitigate homelessness and its effects on young people.