The Council was created in response to the needs of low-income families who have fallen into homelessness due to extremely high housing costs, a high unemployment rate, and sluggish economic growth in New Jersey. The number of people in poverty in New Jersey topped 2 million for the first time in 2010, including 14.5% of all children. Approximately 30% of New Jersey renter households pay more than half of their income for housing.

Olson said, “It is truly an honor to be appointed to the Council on Homelessness. Having worked on behalf of homeless and at-risk families and children, I can provide the Council with direct feedback from the more than 3,000 New Jerseyans we serve annually and from our 16 New Jersey Family Promise Affiliates, who see first-hand the obstacles faced by these families. I look forward to serving on the Council to continue this important work.”