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.
Showing posts with label Steve Brigham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Brigham. Show all posts
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
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.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Tent City residents still need your help
I ran into Steve Brigham at the library in Toms River yesterday and learned that a mistake in a news story has led people to a wrong impression.
Following the news release of a settlement agreement between Lakewood and the residents in Tent City, Steve said a reporter wrote Tent City would be closing very soon. That is wrong, it will take a while to find appropriate housing for the 90 residents and people made the assumption that those residents no longer needed help.
Steve estimates it will take many months before residents will be relocated to adequate housing and so Tent City residents are still need.
Steve still provides food in communal meals for Tent City residents, but donations have almost completely dried up. That factored into his decision to sell his bus. He used the money to buy food.
"Our biggest need is for protein items like eggs, hotdogs and hamburgers," he said.
If you can help, he'd appreciate that. And if dropping off those items is inconvenient, how about purchasing gift certificates from ShopRite or other local grocery store and dropping them off to Steve?
Larry
Following the news release of a settlement agreement between Lakewood and the residents in Tent City, Steve said a reporter wrote Tent City would be closing very soon. That is wrong, it will take a while to find appropriate housing for the 90 residents and people made the assumption that those residents no longer needed help.
Steve estimates it will take many months before residents will be relocated to adequate housing and so Tent City residents are still need.
Steve still provides food in communal meals for Tent City residents, but donations have almost completely dried up. That factored into his decision to sell his bus. He used the money to buy food.
"Our biggest need is for protein items like eggs, hotdogs and hamburgers," he said.
If you can help, he'd appreciate that. And if dropping off those items is inconvenient, how about purchasing gift certificates from ShopRite or other local grocery store and dropping them off to Steve?
Larry
Thursday, April 4, 2013
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.
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)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Police give money to minister for poor
APP.com
TOMS RIVER: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 has donated $200 to Steve Brigham of Lakewood Outreach Ministry Church, founder and minister of the homeless encampment known as Tent City.
Bob Hayes, the lodge president, and David Downey, a member, met with Brigham on Saturday and gave him the money to help the homeless people at the camp.
Each month the lodge donates to charities, including Ocean of Love, a childhood-cancer support group based in Toms River; Deborah Heart and Lung Center; the Special Olympics; and other local and national groups, Downey said.
The group meets 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at 1791 N. Bay Avenue. For more information call 732-255-7300
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Business community to the rescue
Wobm reports that a local business has stepped forward and replaced the log splitter that was stolen from Tent City residents Tuesday and other businesses have promised to provide wood.
The coalition of homeless advocates have held that the way to eliminate homelessness in Ocean County is for various groups (churches, business, community service groups, the homeless and government) to get together and work to solve the problem. It is too big for only one group to resolve.
Four of those groups are on-board.
The advocates still hold out that offer to local and county governments.
And thank you to the media for accurately and fairly keeping the plight of the homeless in the public's eye.
| 2 hours ago
The coalition of homeless advocates have held that the way to eliminate homelessness in Ocean County is for various groups (churches, business, community service groups, the homeless and government) to get together and work to solve the problem. It is too big for only one group to resolve.
Four of those groups are on-board.
The advocates still hold out that offer to local and county governments.
And thank you to the media for accurately and fairly keeping the plight of the homeless in the public's eye.
Stolen Log Splitter Replaced At Lakewood Homeless Encampment
| 2 hours ago A silver lining for Lakewood tent city residents. A Toms River rental company is donating a brand new hydraulic wood splitter after the one they had, was stolen from the encampment site Tuesday night.
Also three tree removal companies are dropping off logs for heat supply. The original unit was changed to a tree so authorities believe someone came in with cutters to remove it.
The theft came just days after a judge ruled the 80 or so can stay put for now until a hearing can take place between both sides. Local tree service companies sometimes donate trees for the firewood. It’s up to the residents of tent city to split the wood that they can burn in their wood burning stoves. At this point, they only have enough wood to get through about four days.
Homeless advocate Steven Brigham says “I appeal to the person or persons who took this. It’s the lifeblood of our tent city. Please return it as soon as possible.”
Anyone who can give police information about the theft should call them directly at 732-363-0200.
Pastor Steve Brigham (video, cnn.com)
The theft came just days after a judge ruled the 80 or so can stay put for now until a hearing can take place between both sides. Local tree service companies sometimes donate trees for the firewood. It’s up to the residents of tent city to split the wood that they can burn in their wood burning stoves. At this point, they only have enough wood to get through about four days.
Homeless advocate Steven Brigham says “I appeal to the person or persons who took this. It’s the lifeblood of our tent city. Please return it as soon as possible.”
Anyone who can give police information about the theft should call them directly at 732-363-0200.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Log splitter stolen from Tent City
The Asbury Park Press reports:
LAKEWOOD — A log splitter was reported stolen from Tent City on Tuesday night, leaving the homeless here to worry about how they will be able to split firewood to keep warm in the woods.
Minister Steven Brigham, caretaker at Tent City, said he filed a theft report with the Lakewood Police Department after he noticed the log splitter was missing. He believes it was taken on Monday night.
Brigham said the log splitter is valued at $1,400 and was donated to the camp.
“I appeal to the person or persons who took this,” Brigham said. “This is a vital part of our survival. It is part of the lifeblood of Tent City.”
The camp has about four days worth of firewood stocked up, Brigham said.
Brigham said that residents saw a truck drive into one entrance on Monday night. He said they believed that the truck was making a delivery of trees to be split for firewood.
The log splitter has a 27-ton compression and was chained to a tree in the encampment, he said.
The splitter was not in its usual place and someone had to cut the chain to get the large piece of equipment out of the camp, Brigham said.
“It is really disturbing that someone would be so selfish,” Brigham said. “I am appealing to their conscience. This is something that people here really need. Please return it.”
Police Sgt. Steve Vigna confirmed Brigham filed the report and the theft is being investigated.
Anyone with information about the theft should call Lakewood Police at 732-363-0200 or Brigham at 732-364-0340.
LAKEWOOD — A log splitter was reported stolen from Tent City on Tuesday night, leaving the homeless here to worry about how they will be able to split firewood to keep warm in the woods.
Minister Steven Brigham, caretaker at Tent City, said he filed a theft report with the Lakewood Police Department after he noticed the log splitter was missing. He believes it was taken on Monday night.
Brigham said the log splitter is valued at $1,400 and was donated to the camp.
“I appeal to the person or persons who took this,” Brigham said. “This is a vital part of our survival. It is part of the lifeblood of Tent City.”
The camp has about four days worth of firewood stocked up, Brigham said.
Brigham said that residents saw a truck drive into one entrance on Monday night. He said they believed that the truck was making a delivery of trees to be split for firewood.
The log splitter has a 27-ton compression and was chained to a tree in the encampment, he said.
The splitter was not in its usual place and someone had to cut the chain to get the large piece of equipment out of the camp, Brigham said.
“It is really disturbing that someone would be so selfish,” Brigham said. “I am appealing to their conscience. This is something that people here really need. Please return it.”
Police Sgt. Steve Vigna confirmed Brigham filed the report and the theft is being investigated.
Anyone with information about the theft should call Lakewood Police at 732-363-0200 or Brigham at 732-364-0340.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
2 Asbury Park Press videos
The Asbury Park Press has posted two videos on its Web site. The first is a 4-minute report about the beginnings of Tent City, the second is a report about yesterday's court hearing. The two videos can be accessed by clicking here . (If you cannot link directly copy and paste
http://www.app.com/videonetwork/1329754356001?odyssey=mod|tvideo|article into your Web browser.)
The second video will start within a few seconds after the first ends.
Thanks to the reporters and videographers for putting this together.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The World is Watching: CNN
CNN: The jobless in New Jersey find refuge in Tent City
Cars and trucks cruise along Cedar Bridge Avenue, drivers listening to radio anchors reporting the headline that a record 46 million Americans are living in poverty, while 50 feet from the bustling boulevard, hidden by the woods that border the road, lies a shocking example of that shameful statistic.
Behind the trees, six dozen homeless Americans have set up camp, in tents, teepees and huts, residents of what they call Tent City. It's a place where those out of work and out of luck can drop out of society while living as cheaply as possible.
"It's a community here," said the Rev. Steven Brigham, who founded Tent City in 2006 as part of his Lakewood Outreach Ministry Church. "They have a sense of belonging..."
To read more and view the video click this
Cars and trucks cruise along Cedar Bridge Avenue, drivers listening to radio anchors reporting the headline that a record 46 million Americans are living in poverty, while 50 feet from the bustling boulevard, hidden by the woods that border the road, lies a shocking example of that shameful statistic.
Behind the trees, six dozen homeless Americans have set up camp, in tents, teepees and huts, residents of what they call Tent City. It's a place where those out of work and out of luck can drop out of society while living as cheaply as possible.
"It's a community here," said the Rev. Steven Brigham, who founded Tent City in 2006 as part of his Lakewood Outreach Ministry Church. "They have a sense of belonging..."
To read more and view the video click this
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tent City story on Fox News
Fox City did a story on tent cities in the US and devoted most of the article to Lakewood's Tent City. To read this story go to http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/11/economic-woes-lead-to-proliferation-tent-cities-nationwide/
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Jeff Wild: Tent City case moved to Judge Foster's court; other progress noted
I know the last update was very sad, but there is also some good news relating to Tent City. Working with Minister Steve's counsel, Todd Wilson, we were able to reach an agreement with Lakewood that should allow the residents of Tent City to remain while we continue to try and solve the underlying problem (the lack of available shelter in Ocean County). As part of this agreement, any wooden structures built since the consent order was signed will be removed and some Tent City residents will be relocated to new tents (for which I understand funding has already been donated). Obviously, this is not a long-term solution, but the residents of Tent City are relieved that, at least for now, they are not at risk of being ejected with no other place to go.
In terms of the ongoing litigation with the County, we learned that Judge Grasso has re-assigned the case to a new judge, the Hon. Joseph L. Foster. Judge Grasso's letter so advising (copy attached) did not give a reason for the re-assignment, but this can happen during a case for a variety of reasons. In any event, our new judge, Judge Foster, is known for being fair and compassionate, such as in the landlord-tenant context when individuals are facing possible eviction. We have sent Judge Foster a letter (copy also attached) requesting a conference to discuss discovery information to be provided by the County and, after we receive that discovery, the date for the filing of an amended and amplified Third-Party Complaint (as Judge Grasso previously authorized). We look forward to working with Judge Foster as the litigation continues, and will let you know when Judge Foster sets the first court date before him regarding this matter.
Jeffrey J. Wild
Member of the Firm
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Tele: 973-597-2554
Fax: 973-597-2555
-and-
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tele: 212-262-6700
Fax: 973-5970-2555
jwild@lowenstein.com
In terms of the ongoing litigation with the County, we learned that Judge Grasso has re-assigned the case to a new judge, the Hon. Joseph L. Foster. Judge Grasso's letter so advising (copy attached) did not give a reason for the re-assignment, but this can happen during a case for a variety of reasons. In any event, our new judge, Judge Foster, is known for being fair and compassionate, such as in the landlord-tenant context when individuals are facing possible eviction. We have sent Judge Foster a letter (copy also attached) requesting a conference to discuss discovery information to be provided by the County and, after we receive that discovery, the date for the filing of an amended and amplified Third-Party Complaint (as Judge Grasso previously authorized). We look forward to working with Judge Foster as the litigation continues, and will let you know when Judge Foster sets the first court date before him regarding this matter.
Jeffrey J. Wild
Member of the Firm
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Tele: 973-597-2554
Fax: 973-597-2555
-and-
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Tele: 212-262-6700
Fax: 973-5970-2555
jwild@lowenstein.com
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