The goal at Congressional reception: ‘No Cuts to Housing’

Advocates of housing support for the homeless and others will gather in Washington Wednesday to attend the 2017 New Jersey congressional reception.

The reception's theme this year is "No Cuts to Housing."

Dan McGuire, CEO of Homeless Solutions in Morris County, said advocates expect to see about 350 people from New Jersey.

"We will be bringing constituents who have benefited from homeless programs, affordable housing, all the different federal programs that are basically facing either elimination or strong cuts," McGuire said. They'll be able to "speak to the congressmen and to the groups as a whole to really share how the opportunities around these programs, in some cases, save their lives, picked them up, and put them on a path to self-sufficiency, and right now that their future is unlimited."

He said his group will get to speak one-on-one or in small groups with local representatives.

"I am really excited about the folks who are coming, who have come through the Homeless Solutions programs, I call them our, 'all stars,'" McGuire said. "They are really inspirational, and I think if Congressman (Rodney) Frelinghuysen and (Leonard) Lance get to hear from them, maybe it will really help change hearts and minds."

Nohemy Zabala and her mother have been helped by the programs. As a teenager, she experienced homelessness. Zabala said homelessness can happen to anyone.

"It can happen to a family and a single parent who simply cannot afford life," she said.

She says thanks to support from Homeless Solutions, she's getting ready to attend Drew University this fall.

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5.

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