Hudson County to get $2.8 million to address food insecurity, affordable housing

A combined $2.8 million in funding will target food insecurity and affordable housing in Hoboken and surrounding areas, according to a joint statement released Tuesday by Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and State Sen. Raj Mukherji.

The grant includes $1.8 million from Hudson County to establish a client choice food pantry at the Hoboken Community Center, which will serve residents in need throughout the county.

An additional $1 million in state appropriations, secured by Mukherji, will fund urgent repairs and capital needs at the Center’s low-income housing units, allowing 96 single residents to remain housed.

The state funding will also help expand the Center’s food pantry to reach communities in Jersey City Heights.

“My administration is focused on the rising cost of living, and this funding will help address affordability issues that many Hudson County residents face, specifically food insecurity,” said Guy.

Mukherji, who represents the 32nd District, emphasized the importance of community.

“The story of the Hoboken Community Center and Food Pantry is a story of community, empathy and compassion,” he said.

He said the funding he secured will enable 96 vulnerable citizens to stay housed, and allow expansion to provide food and hygiene products, including diapers and other items not covered by SNAP, to new locations.

The Hoboken Community Center, the oldest public service agency in Hoboken, has provided affordable housing to low-income single men for over 100 years.

In 2019, the center opened a food pantry to serve its housing residents.

The pantry quickly expanded, delivering groceries to 400 households weekly.

It currently serves over 4,300 households in Hoboken and surrounding North Hudson communities.

The new 5,000 square foot client choice pantry, funded by the county grant, will provide groceries, meats, fresh produce, personal care items, and pet supplies to Hudson County communities.

The state appropriations will fund critical repairs to maintain the Center’s affordable housing units and expand the pantry’s reach to Jersey City Heights.

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Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.