About

The Hoboken Shelter is a community partnership that transforms lives by providing meals for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and services to support people to become housed.

In the early 1980’s, a wave of deadly arson fires and strict new building codes designed to push out “Old Hoboken” in favor of affluent newcomers sparked a homeless crisis in the City. Local congregation leaders gathered to find a solution which lead to threats of arrest from City agencies.

In 1983, Hudson County Superior Court Judge Burrell Ives Humphreys established a landmark ruling allowing the Shelter to exist:

“The harm here is obvious, imminent, and severe. If the shelter is closed, its occupants will be left without food or shelter. Government alone is not presently able to cope with this grave social problem.”

This decision has since been recognized as an important precedent in legal matters across America involving emergency sheltering and religious sanctuary protections.

Today, The Hoboken Shelter is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, lead by a Board of Directors and local religious congregations. It is not owned or operated by The City of Hoboken.

Alyson Landers

Development Director

Carol Santangelo

Secretary

Pastor Gary LeCroy

Dan Pickerel

Mark Singleton

For more information on how to support the Hoboken Shelter through donations, volunteering, or event sponsorship, visit our Support Us page to find assistance.