A Funny Thing Happened in NJ's Tent City Lawsuit — a Compromise

by Jaclyn Fontanella · 2010-07-17 11:43:00 UTC
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For the past 10 years homeless men and women have called the woods off of Cedar Bridge Avenue and Route 88 in Lakewood, New Jersey home. However, just two weeks ago the Township of Lakewood filed suit against them. The lawsuit called the homeless "trespassers" who have done "irreparable harm" to public property. The battle lines were clearly drawn. Miraculously, a compromise was reached this week.

As long as the camp does not grow or expand, the homeless who have made this settlement home can stay until adequate shelter is found. This compromise has quelled the fears of those who live in the tent city and has bought advocates and officials more time to figure out a more permanent housing solution.

The consent order, filed by the attorney who represents the homeless campers, Jeffrey Wild, and also signed by the township, cites "cooperation in solving the problem of homelessness in Ocean County through emergency shelter and other means."

Ocean County, the fastest growing county in New Jersey, lacks a formal homeless shelter of any kind, and Steve Brigham, the founder of the Cedar Bridge camp, has been advocating on behalf of the homeless in Ocean County for years now. "We don't want temporary," Brigham says. "We want something that's going to be there this winter, next winter and the following winter."

This compromise has definitely led to a standstill with more questions than answers, as there is no timeline in place for a relocation, nor any set plan for the creation of shelters or other support services that are necessary. However, hopefully working together in this manner, as opposed to what appeared to be a hotly contested legal dispute as of a few weeks ago, will lead to positive changes for the entire county's homeless population, as well as serve as a model of cooperation for nearby cities.

Photo credit: brookenovak

Jaclyn Fontanella has worked at a non-profit that provides housing and support services to homeless women in Washington, D.C.
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