Illustration by Sakura Siegel / SOC Images.
As the winter season continues to freeze New Jersey, many residents have been having a difficult time adjusting to the frigid air.
On Jan. 25, citizens throughout the United States saw the impact of a deadly winter storm, bringing in heavy winds, snow, ice and reaching as high as 31 inches. Almost a month later, Hudson County was hit with a “historic” blizzard that one local resident said they haven’t seen in almost ten years.
These storms resulted in widespread inconveniences countrywide; and many in Hudson County are still suffering from its repercussions. New Jersey saw temperatures in the single digits with winds falling below zero.
This chapter has brought in disruptions and worries for residents as they wonder how they will prosper through the remaining winter months.
A Home Yet, No Heat
For Mya Hicks, a 19-year-old Greenville resident, this discomfort is all too familiar. For as long as Hicks could recall, she and her family always had to find innovative ways to be comfortable in a home that did not have access to central heating or air conditioning. Hicks is one of the many people that have trouble finding accessible resources in order to avoid this annual issue.
She told Slice of Culture that there have been nights where the only remedy to stay warm was to have as many “blankets as possible and get comfy” in her bed. Without reliable heating, her bedroom often acts as the only area for her to retain warmth in her own home.
Winter nights are not just cold, but they are a constant reminder of what her household lacks. While some have the ability to adjust their thermostat or portable heaters, Hicks’ family has relied on improvised solutions, unable to afford the same luxury.
Different Season, Same Struggle
And yet, when the warmer seasons roll in, the struggle does not disappear, but instead changes form.
Hicks’ Jersey City home poses the same challenge to her comfortability during the summer. Without cool air, heat remains trapped in the home, leaving her to improvise once more.
“Sometimes I’d use an ice pack on my back just to fall asleep,” Hicks told Slice of Culture. “The only reason that we were comfortable was because we were never really home.”
A Broader Reality For Many Residents
Her experience shines light on a broader reality for the many residents that live in homes without proper heating or air conditioning. As the state continues to see extreme weather events, the gap between those who can afford such systems and those that cannot become increasingly visible.
“… I have definitely noticed weather changes in Hudson County, storms have gotten stronger and heavy rain often leads to flooding especially in Jersey City,” Jersey City Resident Juliette Pangilinan previously told Slice of Culture, in regard to the growing climate change.
Winter storms, especially the most recent one, have the potential to highlight those that are the most vulnerable during disastrous weather events.
Some residents consider winter as just another yearly inconvenience as it comes with the cost of shoveling and wearing multiple layers of clothing. But there are much more serious risks for those that face the cold both inside and outside, especially in terms of health and maintaining a strong immune system.
Local organizations like Sustainable JC dedicate their work on finding a solution to the issues that climate change presents to especially vulnerable communities and residents.
“SJC has focused on the Urban Heat Island issue for some years, and we are a proponent of not only reducing emissions directly, which are the root cause of our planet heating up (in JC, 67% of the emissions here are caused by building system combustion, think heating and air conditioning – the push is to now electrification of HVAC systems with many government/utility incentives to do so),” Sustainable JC Founder and Chair Debra Italiano previously told Slice of Culture.
“But [also] immediately lowering the temperature where people are living and working through more Green Infrastructure, including restoration of the Tree Canopy in Jersey City and other municipalities in Hudson County. Where GI is not possible, Shade Structures in public spaces, including roofs, should be implemented.”
You can learn how climate change affects public health, get resources from healthcare providers and other actions by visiting: https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/public-health-tracking/climate-change/.
The Cost Of Staying Warm
To this, some would say “turn on your heat.” But what if that’s not an option? Consistently using indoor heating sources typically results in energy bills drastically increasing, especially if it is for everyday use.
This forces families to have to make the decision of whether or not warmth trumps other necessities such as food, clothes, phone costs and more.
“Sometimes, if it was between having to pay the electricity bill or the wifi, we would have to sacrifice the wifi,” Hicks told SOC.
These sacrifices paint a picture of not just personal hardship, but deeper issues regarding the systemic inequalities linked to housing. NorthJersey.com reported that American households on average are expected to spend $84 more on their heating bills this winter, adding up to a total of $995, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
Two Seasons: Same Challenge
The grave difference between winter and summer in Hicks’ home shows how these challenges are not limited to just one season. Both the freezing nights and the dry humidity bring the same discomfort.
New Jersey, which is generally considered as one of the cooler states in terms of climate, is no stranger to the recent humidity and high temperatures. Since 1993, the Newark International Airport has hit a high of 100 degrees 49 times.
According to the Heat Hub New Jersey, “15 of the 20 hottest years recorded in New Jersey have occurred since 2000.” In June of 2025, residents experienced yet another heat driven week, with temperatures rising up to 101 degrees. Not only did this cause widespread discomfort, it forced many low-income residents to seek out community resources or rely on unconventional methods just to stay cool.
For the 19-year-old resident, these unconventional methods consisted of ice packs and daily cold showers—both temporary solutions that she awaits each summer.
The Time To Persevere
Fortunately for some Jersey residents, winter is centered around the holidays and family traditions. But this is not the case for everyone.
Hicks and her family must find different ways each year to not only adjust, but to survive. Their winters are packed with determination and resilience, despite the physical pushback from decreasing weather conditions.
If you or someone is experiencing harsh or inconvenient living conditions due to weathering, try these resources:
- Hudson County’s Warming Centers (Winter)
- New Jersey’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program – for heating assistance (Winter)
- New Jersey’s Weatherization Assistance Program (All-year round)
- New Jersey’s Cooling Centers (Summer)
- Hudson County’s Community Resources (All-year round)
If you know more resources to add or are looking for further assistance, email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram.
