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Nuplex t1_jbc1c7p wrote

No clue but here's some semi-logical guesses:

  1. JCPD, though they do very little, must have something to do with it. They may more often move people from a spot or do other things that make camping in any single spot difficult.
  2. Seems minor, but is major, PATH has its own police and unlike NYPD, they actually don't play around. They very actively kick homeless out away from stations. Since many homeless in NYC are near, in, and around the subway, this might be a significant reason there are just less here.
  3. Sub-point, this makes it difficult for NYC homeless to come over via PATH.
  4. Jersey City does not have as many conveniences for homeless as NYC. Less shelters, less 24-hour stores, less naive tourists.
  5. The culture of Jersey City makes begging and pan handling difficult. Perhaps we just give a lot less.
  6. Desnity + Median Income. All the boroughs are very dense with high population (4x to 10x higher than here) and have a much higher share of those in poverty and such than Jersey City (as a whole, not just Downtown). There are just literally less homeless here.
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pixel_of_moral_decay t1_jbdc7bj wrote

Excellent answer.

Only other thing I'd point out is something I think most of this thread is ignoring:

There's a difference between homeless and panhandler.

Homeless is someone who literally has no home. Identifiable by the fact they've basically got everything with them. The ones with a bunch of bags or shopping carts. Occupying the end of a subway car, or a whole bench surrounded by crap. Despite some of them looking like hoarders or offensive smells, that's hardly universal. Some look like tourists with a few suitcases. Groomed and everything.

There's also people who just panhandle. They might be on disability, social security, or live with family. They just need money for their vices. Gambling, alcohol, whatever. They generally will be dressed seasonably and not have belongings with them. They've got a place for them. They're just looking for spending money.

These are two distinct groups with different needs. NYC is especially more hospitable to panhandlers than NJ. Foot traffic and all. Much more tolerant, and much more opportunity.

I'd argue for most, NJ is slightly more hospitable to homeless. A ton of homeless people in NJ (and in much of the US) live in their car parking in places like Walmart, largely unnoticed. While hardly great, lets be honest it's safer than many shelters, and protects them from the elements. It also gives them some degree of privacy. I suspect that's the preferred route when possible in NJ for people who lose their home.

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joejoeaz t1_jbe49ik wrote

I'm in Journal square, and I see a lot of people who live in the neighborhood and sleep on the street. Those who live in their car are largely invisible to most of us, and I'll be honest, don't get a lot of my thoughts or attention. Thank you for mentioning those forgotten people, and for reminding us that people in dire need who aren't asking for money are still there, and still in dire need.

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Nuplex t1_jbdls2f wrote

Good point on the car living! That could definitely be part of it.

And yes the term homeless is quite broad. I'm sure most people are referring to a specific type but there isn't necessarily an appropriate term for it.

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hardo_chocolate t1_jbcjmsh wrote

Agree with your assessment. Two points:

  1. For a while, there were homeless by the JSQ PATH station where the city provided showers etc. That drove up the number of homeless, but what I have been told, these were visitors that came for food and shower (and Bombas socks) before returning to NYC.
  2. There are two or three homeless shelters in JC. That’s it.

HP has a regular contingent of homeless. Harmless. But, why do we have homelessness?

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