APP coverage of the Interfaith National Homeless Night Memorial and Rally

The Asbury Park Press covered the Interfaith National Homeless Night Memorial and Rally held in Lakewood's Town Center Dec. 21st, the longest night of the year.

To read the story click here.

HELP Interfaith National Homeless Memorial and Rally

More than 75 people attended last night's (Dec. 21st) Interfaith National Homeless Memorial and Rally at Lakewood's Town Square. The night honored the homeless men and women in Ocean County, recognizing the dignity of all people, and remembered those who died this past year because of being homeless

The rally also encouraged those people who advocate for the homeless and provided a network from which people could learn about the resources and strategies available to assist the homeless.

Pastor Michael Mazur (East Dover Baptist Church), Brother Abdul Rashid Rasheem (Islamic Center of Ocean County), and Rabbi Stephen Gold (Congregation Beth Am Shalom) spoke about their faith's position on ministering to the poor and homeless and how their congregations are working to help the poor.

Steve Brigham and Tracie Plungis-Kropinak led the memorial.

Pam Quatse, Rumu Dasgupta and Connie Pascale spoke about the social injustice of homelessness and income disparity and efforts being made to overcome that in Ocean County by advocates for the homeless.

Imam Magsood Qatri closed the event out with a benediction.

Sandwiches for the attendees were prepared by the Jackson Memorial High School Key Club.The coffee was donated by the new WaWa (County Line Road) in Jackson.

A food collection was donated to The Missionary Pentacostal Church food pantry, Fourth St., Lakewood.

Photos from the memorial and rally can be viewed by clicking here.

The Asbury Park Press also posted their photos on their website. To view them click here.

Homeless Rally & Memorial Service press release

December 10, 2013

What: National Homeless Memorial & Rally Night

When: Saturday Dec. 21^st @ 7 p.m.

Where: Lakewood Town Center, Clifton Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets

Contact: Larry Meegan, (732) 740-5878

County residents to remember & support the homeless

LAKEWOOD  - Advocates who support the homeless will gather in Lakewood’s Town Center for an interfaith memorial and rally Saturday Dec. 21^st at 7 p.m.

December 21^st is the longest night of the year and housing advocates throughout the country recognize it as National Homeless Memorial Night.

The town center is located on Clifton Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets.

Local religious leaders will discuss how their organizations address homelessness and their commitment to social justice issues.

Housing advocates will discuss solutions to homelessness and tell of opportunities that are available to people who are willing to help out.

They will also call to mind those homeless men and women who have died the past couple of years as they battled the elements while living in inadequate shelter.

Everyone is invited to attend the outdoor event. 

The event is sponsored by Homelessness Ended through Local Partners. The Kiwanis Club of Jackson and the Jackson Memorial High School will provide light refreshments.

Homeless Interfaith Memorial Night & Rally Dec. 21

Hello all,

We have received permission from Lakewood Township to hold our interfaith Homelessness Memorial Night and Rally Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Lakewood Town Center, Clifton Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets.

We will have local clergy, housing advocates and members of the homeless community speak that evening.

Parking is available in three municipal parking lots (one adjacent to the municipal building, one across the street from the police station, and one across from the Strand Theater.) Parking is also available in the County Board of Social Services building on Fourth Street behind the municipal building.

We expect the memorial and rally will take about an hour.

I have attached a handbill that can be distributed in the days leading up to the event in a week and a half.

We hope you can attend.  We will try to have light refreshments available.

	Homelessness Memorial Night and Rally 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21st the longest night of the year. The rally will be held at the Lakewood Town Center, Clifton Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets. Speakers include local clergy, housing advocates and our homeless brothers & sisters. Everyone is invited. Please join us Saturday evening in Lakewood.

APP Editorial: Homelessness a county issue

The Asbury Park Press wrote an editorial Tuesday that reminded its readers of the humanity of the homeless men, women and children.  It also called attention to the failures of Lakewood Township and Ocean County in working to house the homeless.

"While Lakewood bears some responsibility for the safety and long-term disposition of the residents there, no one should expect a municipality to take on the whole problem by itself. Ocean County should be providing the leadership and the lion’s share of funding for either building a county homeless shelter or providing alternative housing for Tent City’s residents.


"On the other hand, for nearly five years Lakewood has consistently made life hard for the people who live there, spending taxpayer money on fighting court battles to evict them instead of working to find them alternative housing."

Click here to read the entire editorial.

Two Ocean County Freeholders took exception to the editorial at Wednesday's Freeholder meeting in Toms River.

According to the Asbury Park Press, "Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr. said he is furious with the Asbury Park Press and expressed outrage with a front page story published Tuesday that questioned whether the county has done enough to help its homeless population, which included the headline: “Is it time for Ocean County to build a homeless shelter?”


“I am rather tired of hearing that Ocean County is doing nothing to aid people who are homeless in this county, that is an unmitigated untruth,” Bartlett said during a regular public meeting of the freeholders.

“And the fact of the matter is, in reference to ‘Tent City’ in Lakewood, there are many people there who want to be there,” Bartlett said. “Tent City is an outgrowth of the fact that Lakewood Township allowed it to be built and maintained, provided services to it and therefore in a sense became owners of it.”

Freeholder Director Jack Kelly said there is a difference here in philosophies. He said people needed to be more self-reliant and work with social services to do more to help themselves.

“What Freeholder Bartlett is talking about, at Tent City, when he says they would rather be there, they would rather be there than deal with government,” Kelly said. “Because government comes with it the obligation and responsibility of the individual.”

The complete article can be read by clicking here.

Lakewood Deputy Mayor Steven Langert and Committeeman Ray Coles appeared at WOBM's station Tuesday to add to the discussion.

According to WOBM, "The duo didn’t shy away from talking about their continuing efforts to close down Tent City and find housing for its residents. They also addressed its high density growth plans."

"Committeeman Ray Coles said local anti-poverty group STEPS (Solutions To End Poverty Soon) is working on finding housing. He explained they’re trying to put together leases for a half dozen apartments in Lakewood and surrounding communities. “We’re looking to see what we can do as far as finding an affordable place with decent access to transportation and also to make sure that the support services that are going to be critical to insure that these people survive and thrive in these locations,” he said."

"However, they agree there’s little they can do for an estimated 60 Tent City residents who refuse help. “Because they’re not in their right minds,” according to Coles. “I hate to put it like that but there are people out there who don’t know how to take care of themselves and unfortunately in this country we can’t force them to accept help,” he said."

The complete story can be read at WOBM by clicking here.

APP reports Tent City resident died overnight

The Asbury Park Press reported that Mario Guerra from Honduras died overnight in Tent City. Video and story at here.

Ocean County Library Lakewood branch to offer US citizenship prep classes

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Library’s Lakewood branch, 301 Lexington Ave., will host a seven-session class to prepare people who want to take the test for US citizenship.

The class is appropriate for adults 18 years and older who have lawful and continuous permanent residency in the United States for a minimum of five years.  Those attending should have been physically present in the United States for thirty months, with at least three months living in the same state or district. 

Anyone with questions about whether their individual circumstances would qualify should call Richard Potter at the library (732) 363-1435 ext. 2117.

The class will instruct the students on all topics covered by the test for US citizenship, including civics and American history, and offer practice exercises on English reading and written vocabulary. 

The test itself will not be administered as part of the class.  The test for US citizenship is only administered by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The class will be held on Mondays: January 6, 13, 20, 27 & February 3, 10, 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the branch. It is free of charge.

Registration is required because of the limited class size.  Registration begins December 3.

For more information or to register, please contact Richard Potter, Senior Librarian, at (732) 363-1435 or rpotter@theoceancountylibrary.org . 

Great news for Tent City residents

April 4, 2013

Today is a great day for the homeless of Tent City, and for all advocates for the homeless who have worked so hard, for so long.  The first attachment to this email is a letter that we just submitted to the Court, which encloses the final Consent Order relating to the litigation with Lakewood.  Among other things, this Consent Order:  (1) guarantees that all of Tent City’s current residents (including anyone who is living in Tent City and counted in a census that will soon be done) may not be ejected by Lakewood unless and until those residents are first offered a plan that provides for (and actually provides) safe and adequate housing for at least a full year; (2) gives this right -- without any “disqualifiers” or set deadline for the closing of Tent City -- to all of the current residents (at least those who cooperate in an agreed-upon census and screening process, which includes strict protections for privacy and confidentiality); and (3) requires Lakewood to dismiss all of the charges that it filed in municipal court and elsewhere about supposed “code violations” in Tent City.  In short, this Consent Order gives the people of Tent City everything they wanted, and more, given that a year or more of housing equates to the federal definition of permanent housing, not just emergency shelter.  And the news gets better.

The second attachment to this email is a letter agreement that supplements the Consent Order and imposes additional obligations on Lakewood until the last current resident has obtained housing.  Lakewood is now required to:  (1) provide pick-up of trash deposited for collection by Tent City’s residents (including regular and adequate collections by Lakewood from the trash containers and 30-yard dumpster); (2) permit the servicing of the portable toilets in Tent City; (3) allow supporters of the current residents to deliver food, clothing and other necessary supplies into Tent City (so long as any supporter’s vehicle departs from Tent City after the delivery has been completed); and (4) permit the holes in the main dirt road to be filled with dirt and leveled, in order to make the road passable for emergency vehicles (after receipt and approval by Lakewood of a written proposal for this work, which approval cannot be unreasonably withheld).  Lakewood has also agreed that Minister Steve Brigham has the option of continuing to live in Tent City until the day comes when all of the current residents have housing.  The Court will also retain jurisdiction to enforce the Consent Order and make sure Lakewood complies with all of its obligations.

Finally, after decades of refusing to do so, Ocean County and the Board of Social Services have agreed to sit down to discuss establishing the first housing center (shelter) in Ocean County.  As a show of good will, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission (the “Mission”) has dismissed its claims against the County “without prejudice,” meaning that the Mission is free to file suit again in the hopefully unlikely event that the discussions with the County about cooperation do not yield progress.  Given, however, the substantial new funding that is becoming available post-Sandy, the opportunities for cooperation seem greater than ever before.  The Mission will also welcome input from other non-profits about possible ways to develop a housing center in Ocean County.

This is a great day, but much work remains to be done.  We will continue to stand with the people of Tent City, and continue to work for the day when homelessness in Ocean County is no more.

(As soon as I figure out how to insert the attachments I'll post them for your reading pleasure.  Larry)

Tent City on AOL's home page

AOL's homepage had a video about Lakewood's Tent City.  Click here

Monmouth County gets 9x's more homeless funding than Ocean County

Homelessness is homelessness, whether you are in Monmouth County or Ocean County.  But how does one explain a 90% difference in grants between the two?  

The competitive grant called Continuum of Care under the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development listed Lakewood and Ocean County as receiving $234,008 for programs to help the homeless while Monmouth County received $2.6 million for its programs.

“The difference between neighboring counties is obscene,” Lakewood Township Committeeman Raymond G. Coles said. “All anyone has to do is pick up a newspaper or drive down Cedar Bridge Avenue to see that we have a huge homeless problem in Lakewood.”

Homeless help in Ocean County is 1/10 of Monmouth County http://on.app.com/XBFVSR 

Grants for homeless in Ocean County questioned; Monmouth gets more http://on.app.com/XBFVSR 

Report on Court Hearing: Possible Break-Through With Lakewood

For years, our Coalition has stood side by side with the homeless men and women forced to live in the woods of Lakewood’s Tent City.  Together, we have stood up for some basic principles.  For example, we believe that the homeless have a right to survive on public land until the government gives them a better place to go -- that is, the safe indoor housing that everyone deserves.  Now, we are on the verge of a break-through.

Late Friday, after years of trying -- unsuccessfully -- to eject the homeless, Lakewood finally agreed with what our Coalition has been saying all along.  Under a settlement-in-principle announced by the Court, Lakewood would be barred from ejecting any of Tent City’s current residents unless and until those residents are given housing -- not just a motel room for a night or two, but safe and adequate housing for at least a full year.  Below is a link to one of the many news reports about this major development:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/judge_homeless_at_lakewoods_te.html

As a first step, the parties would cooperate in a census of Tent City’s residents -- approximately 100 men and women by some estimates -- as well as a screening of the residents for possible governmental benefits.   At the same time, the litigation against Ocean County and its Board of Social Services (the “County”) will continue -- that is, at least until the County stops turning away large numbers of homeless men, women and children, and finally makes emergency shelter available in the County.   In addition, the County continues to face a claim for more than $2 million in damages alleged by the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, to which the County for years has “exported” large numbers of its homeless without fair reimbursement.

Much work remains to be done, including finalization of the settlement-in-principle with Lakewood.  However, thanks to you and the Coalition, we are making tremendous progress.  The residents of Tent City are safe from ejectment -- and, finally, moving closer to the housing that this case has always been about.

Court hearing postponed till Mar. 15

As most of you know, Lakewood has filed a motion with the Court to close Tent City.  The hearing on the motion was originally scheduled for February 22, 2013.  It has now been postponed.  The new date for the hearing is March 15, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at the Courthouse in Toms River.

It is very important that people attend if they can.  There is a continuing need to demonstrate the strength of local concern about the struggles of homeless people, as well as strong support for a public/private effort to address and end homelessness. 

APP editorial: Alternatives lacking for Tent City residents

 Asbury Park Press editorial: Feb 06, 2013

Another battle in a long-running war between Lakewood and Ocean County officials on one side and “Tent City” leaders is under way. And though a two-week truce was called Monday, the war is far from over.

Last week, legal notices were posted announcing that, starting today, authorities would come in and disassemble the camp if the tents had not already been taken down. Eighty people would have been completely homeless.

Last year, Superior Court Judge Joseph Foster refused to allow Lakewood to shut down the camp, stating that the residents could not be moved without an alternative place to live.  Officials contend that Tent City leaders have not abided by their part of the bargain to forbid more people from moving in. But neither has the county. It hasn’t offered any alternatives, including entering into a partnership with other parties, public or private, to build a county homeless shelter.

Before bulldozing Tent City, both the county and the township need to come up with alternatives for those who find themselves, literally, out in the cold. Some of these residents have substance abuse problems and/or mental illness, and have been reluctant to leave Tent City. But many have fallen on bad luck and hard times. All of them need some help.

Long-term homelessness may be a tough nut to crack, but what is becoming increasingly clear is that Lakewood simply lacks the will to keep its citizens safe — in Tent City and in the township’s thousands of dilapidated rental houses. And Ocean County lacks the desire to use anything more than an iron fist to deal with the homeless in its midst.

A judge properly ruled that alternative housing must be provided before Tent City can be razed. That has yet to happen. Authorities must, as a matter of basic decency, provide a shelter or some alternative before sending in the bulldozers.

Lakewood rental inspections may change

According to the Asbury Park Press Lakewood officials are eying changes to rental inspections.  Click  http://on.app.com/WWkaYE

Update on OC Homeless litigation

Attorney Jeff Wild reported Monday:

In the Ocean County Homeless Litigation, a court conference was held today before the Honorable Joseph L. Foster. Although the people of Tent City continue to manage well during the warm weather, it was great to hear Judge Foster express concern about the unsheltered homeless -- and the very real possibility that this winter will not be as mild as the last one. In other developments today:

1. Safety Issue.  Shortly after Lakewood failed in its motion for summary judgment, it blocked off one of the two roads to Tent City -- thereby blocking emergency vehicles from getting in and out of Tent City quickly if necessary. Today, we raised this safety issue with the Court, and Lakewood agreed to restore roads in and out of Tent City.
2. Waste of Taxpayer Money Revealed. Through mediation, we continue to discuss the problem of homelessness with the attorneys for Lakewood and Ocean County.  The scope of the problem, including the current waste of taxpayer dollars on motel rooms for the homeless, is staggering. We have learned that, just in 2011, more than $6.3 million of taxpayer dollars was wasted by Ocean County on tens of thousands of motel rooms and other "band-aid" solutions -- wasting money at a time when Ocean County is also turning away homeless men, women and children, leaving them with no choice but to sleep outside. Concrete proposals are expected to be made soon.  If no solution is reached in the mediation, the litigation will continue.
Thanks to all the members of the Coalition and the homeless who were in the courtroom today, standing in unity. Judge Foster set the next status conference for August 21st at 9 a.m. at the Superior Court in Toms River, Courtroom 3.

About NJCEH

The NJ Coalition to End Homelessness, based in Trenton, is dedicated to pursuing emergency and permanent solutions to homelessness throughout New Jersey, where tens of thousands of men, women and children are homeless each year.  NJCEH's Board of Trustees includes leaders from such prominent NJ organizations as the Corporation for Supportive Housing, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Homefront NJ,  the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center, United Way of Hudson County, R. B. Coe Development and Consulting, LLC, and Lowenstein Sandler PC.  For details, see http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/get.link?linkid=4040016&subscriberid=266902883&campaignid=1118672&linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.njcoalitionhomeless.org%2fOur_Board_of_Trustees.html or contact Tonya Bryan, Executive Director, at tbryan@njcoalitionhomeless.org.

2012 Rally of Hope for Ocean County's Homeless

Photos from the rally can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/22036136@N07/sets/72157630069673174/

Hello all,

I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in Sunday’s Rally of Hope for the Homeless of Ocean County.  There was a very good turnout and we accomplished our goals.

The hungry were fed.  The poor were clothed.  We showed people how they could assist and end homelessness in Ocean County.  And we established networks for the people who advocate for the homeless.  We also thanked those groups and individuals who have helped over the past year or two.

I would say we had more than 300 people participate in the rally.  We also had about 20 groups sign on as cosponsors of the event.  There was an equal number of information tables set up where groups were able to tell about their organization’s efforts and recruit volunteers to assist them.

We offered blood screenings and a grooming station that offered free haircuts.

People donated more than $1,500 in cash and food. (I will account for those donations in a more formal report later.  Thank you to Tom Spina and his Luminer Foundation for collecting those funds.)

Our discussion of homelessness as a social justice issue by local clergy went well.  Thnak you to Pastor Michael M. Mazur (East Dover Baptist Church, Toms River), Professor Rumu Dasgupta (Georgian Court University), Imam Maqsood Qadri (Islamic Center of Ocean County, Lakewood) and Rabbi Robert Rubin (Temple Beth Or, Brick.) A thunderstorm interrupted Rumu and Robert and I hope we can have them speak to our group again.

The Kiwanis Club of Jackson, along with a volunteer Stosh, cooked the food.  Branches Catering of Long Branch provided the salads. Shore Community Land Trust made a sizeable donation toward the food expenses.  And Rabbi Steve Gold’s Beth Am Shalom Reform Jewish Congregation, Lakewood, through Yussi’s Deli and Takeout, provided 38 kosher meals.

Jim White and the Forked River Presbyterian Church provided the three portable loos.

The League of Women Voters conducted a voter registration drive.  I have not gotten any numbers from them yet.

We had to change the way we presented the seminars, and thanks to Joan Finn, Rosemary Goebel and Pam Qatse for altering the schedule, then convincing me it was the right thing to do.  It took a few minutes to change my heard-headed insistence on maintaining the proposed format to accepting the change.  They proved to be right.  I apologize if I was rude during that decision-making process.

We had great speakers during the rally.  Joseph Freeman and Laura Quinonis spoke of their personal experiences as homeless people dealing with their own personal demons.  Steve Nagel, Bridget Kennedy and Mary Ann Allacci told about the successes their groups have had in working with the homeless.  John Kane and Pam Qatse told of opportunities that are available to people who want to help out.

We enjoyed great weather throughout the rally.  That is until a thunderstorm swept through.  It was a mixed blessing, though.  All concerns I had about closing the rally were washed away by that storm.

It was a great day but I also know there are things that could have been done better, and I would appreciate it if you would comment on both the good and the bad.  I may incorporate those responses in my final report.

Thanks again for all your help.

Photos from the rally can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/22036136@N07/sets/72157630069673174/

Community groups to rally for the homeless April 22

Press Release: for immediate release

TOMS RIVER -  Several local community and religious organizations will sponsor the Rally of Hope for Ocean County’s Homeless Sunday afternoon in Lakewood’s Towns Square on Clifton Avenue, between Third and Fourth streets.

The rally will begin at 12:30 p.m. and feature a meal for the participants, free haircuts, blood pressure readings, and information tables with distribution of toiletries and food.  It will also present seminars for the homeless and their supporters and a discussion of ending homelessness as a social justice issue by leaders representing four religious heritages: Evangelical Christianity; Judaism; Catholicism; and Muslim.

The League of Women Voters will also conduct a voter registration during the event.

In addition to assisting the homeless, the rally will give the public an opportunity to learn how they can take part in ending homelessness in Ocean County. It will also recognize the many groups that have helped the homeless during the past year.

The rally is free and open to the public and will end around 4 p.m.

Sponsors include the Kiwanis Club of Jackson, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, the Luminer Foundation, The Monmouth Presbytery, Homelessness Ended through Local Partners, and the Forked River Presbytery.

Lakewood approves request to use Town Center for homelessness fair

I have been told that Lakewood has granted us permission to hold a homelessness fair at its town center, Clifton Avenue between Third & Fourth Streets, Sunday, April 22.

The fair will recognize and thank groups that have helped the homeless; establish networks and link the homeless and those groups that help them; conduct seminars to educate people at three levels (helpers, the homeless, and government officials) about ways to survive homelessness and how to better assist the homeless; demonstrate there is a lot of support from the community for the homeless; and provide a meal to all who attend the event.

Our plans include having information tables from local assistance groups, enabling them to tell of the services they offer; bringing in local government officials who will share their successes in helping the homeless; provide health screenings; and hosting a panel discussion to address homelessness as a social justice issue.

Volunteers from local community service organizations will staff the event.

If your group would like to participate or co-sponsor the event, let me know: ochomeless@gmail.com .

Stay tuned.  More information will follow soon.

New affordeable For-Sale Housing coming to Lakewood

This summery is from an advertisement in January's "Latinos Unidos de Nueve Jersey" (pg. 9):

Lakewood Township announces 72 affordable housing units will be available for sale at Lakewood Commons II, Spruce and Vine Streets.  The 3- and 4-bedroom units range from $133,000 to $262,000.  The housing is under development by NJ Hand and is for eligible low-and moderate-income households. It is anticipated that ulnits will be ready for occupany inSpring 2012.

If you are interested call Rehabco Inc. the Township's Affordable Housing Administrative Agent (732) 477-7750 to receive more information and an authorized application.

A deadline date of Jan. 20, 2012 is established for all applications to be filed with Rehabco Inc.

Jeff Wild reports on upcoming court hearing

Unfortunately, even though the Court granted our request and sent the case to mediation, Lakewood is going forward with its motion for summary judgment authorizing it to shut down Tent City.  Lakewood will be arguing this motion at a key hearing this coming Friday, January 6th, at 9 a.m. at 100 Hooper Avenue, Courtroom 3, in Toms River.  We will be arguing that Lakewood has no right to the court order it seeks for numerous reasons, such as the fact that Lakewood, like Ocean County, continues to violate a duty to provide shelter of last resort.  If you are in the area, please come and stand with the homeless at this critical hearing.

If Lakewood's motion is granted, there will be approximately 80 homeless people who will be devastated and left with nowhere to go.  If Lakewood's motion is denied, the homeless individuals will be able to remain in Tent City while they move forward with their claims against Lakewood and Ocean County.  Thus, there should be important news on Friday and, either way, Ocean County's homeless will continue to need the Coalition's support.