TOMS RIVER – A stark eviction notice, taped to a tree, orders residents of a homeless encampment in Winding River Park to vacate by November 21. The notice warns of potential arrest under Toms River’s loitering ordinance, which could land offenders in jail for up to 90 days or with a hefty fine.
Ordinance No. 4168-08 (§ 388-6) defines loitering as “remaining idle in essentially one location” and includes activities such as “loafing” and “walking about aimlessly” in public spaces. Violations carry fines of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both.
The encampment is one of two managed by Minister Steve Brigham of Destiny’s Bridge that currently shelter 11 individuals. Neither Mayor Dan Rodrick nor Township Attorney Peter Pascarella responded to requests for clarification about the notice or whether the same notification was provided to additional encampments believed to be in town. There is also no indication how township officials determined the November 21 date.
At the October 23 Township Council meeting, Rodrick described a recent visit he made to the encampment with local law enforcement. “We met dozens of people in need of housing,” he said, noting that many residents lack the identification required for formal housing arrangements.
Rodrick said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has approximately $4 million set aside to place people into housing. He also said many of those he met were in need of other kinds of services, including mental health and addiction treatment. Financial restrictions remain another obstacle.
“We’re coming into winter; there were several people in there that were rather old on Social Security,” said Rodrick. “Sadly, some of them are only making $800 to $900 a month in Social Security.”
Rodrick said that by “reducing the size of government,” the township identified $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which could provide hotel accommodations for the winter while DCA works on permanent housing solutions.
“The DCA thinks it will take two to three months to get everybody placed,” said Rodrick. “But it will be January, and it’s cold.”
Rodrick previously announced that he intended to use money from the town’s affordable housing trust, but those funds are restricted to creating affordable housing units, not temporary hotel stays.
A resolution passed at the October 23 meeting gives the mayor and administration the ability to provide assistance, in an amount not to exceed $250,000, for the purpose of providing temporary transitional housing for the individuals currently residing in the homeless encampments. The mayor has not provided any information regarding the discrepancy between the $250,000 and the $2M he spoke about at the meeting.
“They’re going to sign off on an agreement,” Rodrick added.
Sources indicate that the administration has been working with an attorney representing some of the encampment residents to secure an agreement that would guarantee six months of indoor housing, funded by the township, for those who sign. However, other residents who were recently placed in hotels prior to the mayor’s visit have been informed that they will not qualify for the six-month housing guarantee.
Many of those experiencing homelessness have said they preferred living in encampments for a variety of reasons, including the sense of community. The other problem has been that short-term placement in hotels often means they could become unhoused again immediately after – this time without the supplies in the camp.
Brigham, who has been attempting to secure agreements from residents, voiced frustration about challenges in obtaining signatures. “I’ve been met with interference,” he said.
