Montclair is facing a growing unhoused population that’s putting pressure on residents, businesses, and local leaders alike. At the heart of the local response is MESH—Montclair Emergency Services for Hope—a nonprofit that has evolved from a rotating winter shelter into a full-time support center offering meals, clothing, job support, and community connection.
Founded in 2005, MESH now operates out of a permanent space on Bloomfield Avenue, donated by BDP Holdings. Last winter, the organization provided shelter for 110 nights—well beyond its initial projections—and helped 27 individuals secure employment.
“There are a lot of hardworking families throughout Essex County that are just barely covering their rent,” said Joe Granger, MESH’s executive director. “As rents escalate, that’s a bigger problem. The number of unhoused and food-insecure people is increasing—it’s a bigger and bigger job.”…