N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:12A-3

2. The Legislature finds and declares that: homeless youth are a largely invisible population; many of these children have no families and are being exploited by adults or are turning to delinquency as a way to survive on the streets; these young people are urgently in need of services which will prevent them from becoming permanently homeless; therefore, it is in the best interest of the State to establish and support a continuum of services geared specifically for homeless youth, including street outreach or basic center shelter or transitional living programs.