Nonprofit funder GreenLight Fund Greater Newark announced a major $1.2 million investment today. The funding will address both housing and food insecurity by bringing two innovative engagement models, Housing Connector and Food Connect, to Greater Newark. Over the next four years, Housing Connector aims to house 3,400 Greater Newark residents. Food Connect plans to serve 55,000 residents.
“Newark has made great strides in addressing housing instability and food insecurity,” said Tish Johnson-Jones, JD, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Greater Newark. She noted, “Yet we heard from the community about the significant need to facilitate opportunity for all residents and households to secure shelter and affordable, healthy meals”.
Johnson-Jones stated that the GreenLight Fund is making a simultaneous investment in two proven models. She added that by harnessing technology and working within the community, Housing Connector and Food Connect will help house and provide quality, healthy food for more residents and their families in Newark.
Housing Connector: Bridging the Housing Gap
Housing Connector is a national technology-powered nonprofit. It increases access to housing for individuals most in need, with a goal to house 3,400 Greater Newark residents. Through the Zillow real-estate app and website, Housing Connector will collaborate with local organizations and property owners. This process creates a streamlined, effective housing search.
The need for housing support is significant in Newark. The 2025 NJCounts Point-in-Time Report showed that Essex County had the highest rate of homelessness in the state at 18% (2,411 people).
“Expanding to Newark allows Housing Connector to ensure that more families have access to safe and stable housing,” said Shkelqim Kelmendi, Founder and CEO of Housing Connector. He added, “We are here to bridge the gap between property owners and community members who need homes, unlocking housing that would otherwise sit vacant”.
Luis Ulerio, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, City of Newark, welcomed the partnership. He stated, “Welcoming Housing Connector to Newark will bolster our efforts and bring unique perspectives to our ultimate goal of ensuring all Newark residents have the ability to move toward permanent housing”.
Food Connect: A Tech-Enabled Food System
The GreenLight Fund’s dual investment highlights that housing and food insecurity often exist together. Families often have to make the hard decision to choose one over the other. In 2025, nearly 100,000 people in Essex County were food insecure.
Food Connect uses a tech-enabled logistics system. It works to deliver fresh, affordable food to low-income communities. The nonprofit will partner with organizations in Newark to enhance transportation and create food distribution points. This will allow residents to reliably access affordable, healthy food. Food Connect’s goal is to serve nearly 60,000 Greater Newark residents over the next four years.
“When one in ten Newark residents struggle to find affordable, healthy food, it’s not just a hunger issue, it’s a systems issue,” said Megha Kulshreshtha, CEO & Head of Product for Food Connect. She believes that “food is more than nourishment, it’s a bridge to stability and opportunity”.
The investment followed a year-long selection process. The local Selection Advisory Council (SAC) chose both groups due to the prevalence of housing and food insecurity as coexisting challenges in Newark.
