What would you decide to do about the increasing homeless situation throughout our town? Over the past year, Haddonfield has experienced a surge in homeless people coming into the town, increasing by 63%. However, the town has been in disagreement about what the correct options are to address this topic.
The start of the problem:
In late August, PATCO adjusted its overnight times from their original 15-minute service intervals to being closed from 12-4:30 am on weeknights. The station was previously held as home to many people during the night, as it offered protection from the weather and a safe place to sleep at night. Therefore, many displaced people traveled to Haddonfield to try and find the same safety at night. Some of the homeless people also come to Haddonfield because of its lower crime rates and wealth.
Since July 2025, many of the federally funded programs to help people in need have been facing significant cuts, while also putting the burden of paying for those programs on the state government. Some of the cuts being made in New Jersey include NJ FamilyCare, Medicaid, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Developmental Disabilities Centers, Community Health Law Project, and Mental Health and Addiction Services. Furthermore, in total, over $350 million has been reduced globally just this year, and $27 million has been reduced from mental health and addiction services, which is the leading cause of homelessness in New Jersey. Therefore, with the cuts to help aid the resources used to help homeless people, especially in New Jersey, contribute to the large increase in Haddonfield. \
Solutions to the problem:
Haddonfield has been in debate for quite some time on how to proceed with this situation. Firstly, Haddonfield’s Board of Commissioners proposed a policy called “Peace and Good Order Ordinance”, which eventually did not pass. The policy would have made sleeping outside, obstructing public areas, and publicly urinating, or general disorderly actions, a municipal crime. The punishment for these crimes would be up to 90 days in prison, a fine of $2,000, or 90 days of community service. This ordinance was disagreed upon by many because, in many situations, this only put homeless people in a deeper situation. Mayor Dave Siedell, a commissioner on the board, wrote on social media about the ordinance: “(The ordinance) is a last-resort tool for police, not a solution. Real solutions come from partnerships with churches, nonprofits, and county services. I am committed to pursuing them alongside improving the legislation and invite all ideas and organizations that can be brought to help us.”
Instead of the ordinance, the borough has started to work with the Haddonfield Council of Churches, moving towards hiring a social worker who can directly work with the homeless people and can guide them towards assistance. Haddonfield has also started a non-profit in hopes of providing the unhoused with a stepping stone.
Student’s view on the topic:
Students from Haddonfield schools have started to acknowledge the homeless people in town, especially during the hours right after school, when they are walking downtown to hang out with friends, or having to go through town to get home from school.
A student at HMHS explains what she witnesses going through town: “While walking through town after school to get to practice, I see a few of the homeless people, but they mostly just mind their own business and don’t bother anyone.” They provided an important view on how their presence is noticeable, but does not have a problem with them being there, as they keep to themselves.
Another HMHS student, Audrey Lacy, shares her view on the topic: “I think it’s a shame, and I blame our government for creating an economy that makes it difficult to get on your feet after having a rough start. I do not blame the people, but instead the people in power who need to be doing a better job of helping everyone in our country.” Lacy provides insight on how the problem originally started, and talks about how the cuts made to resources that can help find a solution to this problem were not the right course of action. Many students at HMHS have started to recognize the problem and hope to find a solution that can help the homeless people, without putting them in a worse situation.
There has not been a direct solution that has been agreed upon by the Borough, but solutions are continuing to be made to better aid these people and their situations. Haddonfield has shown progress by already starting to talk to some of the homeless and bringing them to Christ the King Church, which is welcoming the homeless to come and talk about what they feel they need to change their situation, as well as helping the borough understand what exactly they need to do.
