Fund Housing, Not Handcuffs! Support Real Change!

Homelessness remains one of the most pressing issues in Atlantic County, yet government officials continue to apply short-term, ineffective solutions. Temporary shelters, which are already insufficient, fail to provide long-term stability, and there are not enough available beds for families, especially during the harshest winter nights.

Instead of prioritizing real solutions, local leaders allocate public funds toward projects aimed at increasing tourism, while ignoring the urgent needs of those without shelter. Abandoned buildings in Atlantic City could be repurposed to provide stable housing for individuals living in tents, yet officials choose to demolish these encampments and criminalize homelessness. Arresting individuals for seeking warmth and safety is not a solution,it is an injustice. 

We demand action. Atlantic County must invest in permanent, affordable housing and comprehensive support services rather than continue punitive and short-term responses. Every person deserves a safe place to live, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that housing is treated as a human right, not a privilege.

Erika Ortiz, student at Stockton University    Contact the author of the petition