The videotape beating of a homeless man in Wall Township sent shock waves throughout the state. Two young suspects who allegedly recorded and posted the beating on YouTube are now facing charges of aggravated assault and other offenses.

The incident has put a focus on the plight of the homeless in the state. NJToday’s Mike Schneider spoke to Jeff Wild from the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness about the rise of homelessness in the state. The numbers are sobering. According to government estimates, says Wild, there are over 13,000 people suffering homelessness per night in New Jersey.

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Wild dispels the stereotype of the average homeless person as one with psychological problems. The reality for most of the homeless in New Jersey, says Wild, is that they could not make the rent or lost their homes due to foreclosure. He says the rise of homelessness has reached epidemic proportions due to the economy and the lack of affordable housing in New Jersey. Also, most financially distressed New Jerseyans do not qualify for emergency assistance, Wild says, because they are considered “too rich” if they make $7 per day or $210 per month.