TOMS RIVER – A homeless encampment near Winding River Park, which had served as a refuge for over 100 individuals since October 2022, has been closed. All residents have been placed in temporary housing, with the remaining 26 unhoused individuals receiving guaranteed indoor housing for six months through a municipal initiative.
The closure represents a significant step in addressing homelessness in Toms River, achieved through a coordinated effort involving local officials, nonprofit organizations, and legal advocates.
“I am proud to announce that this compassionate and cooperative solution addresses the concerns of residents and secures housing for those in the camp at no cost to the taxpayer,” said Mayor Daniel Rodrick. “The camp has been in existence for over two years prior to me taking office, and within a few months of working together everyone is now in housing.”
The encampment, which included elderly residents, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, symbolized the growing challenges faced by the unhoused in New Jersey. Minister Steve Brigham, founder of Destiny’s Bridge and a longtime homeless advocate, had been instrumental in supporting the camp’s residents. For months, Brigham provided supplies and guidance to help the individuals survive until permanent housing solutions were secured.
Jeffrey Wild, a partner with Lowenstein Sandler LLP, recently named by the New Jersey Law Journal as the state’s largest law firm provided pro bono representation for the 26 individuals placed in motels. Wild serves as a trustee for the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness (NJCEH) and termed the agreement reached with the town as a “great example of government and private sector teamwork.”
Since the NJCEH became involved at Brigham’s request over a year ago, more than 50 individuals from the Winding River encampment have transitioned to housing. Wild, who has represented unhoused people throughout the state, expressed hope that the success in Toms River could inspire broader change.
Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in Grants Pass v. Johnson, a decision that it’s not against the Eighth Amendment for communities to impose fines, issue tickets, or even arrest individuals living unsheltered. This effectively criminalizes homelessness even when adequate shelter is unavailable.
Wild noted that New Jersey’s laws are relatively strong and offer significant protections for individuals without housing. He added that New Jersey law prohibits the criminalization of homelessness. However, he emphasized the importance of negotiation over litigation in this case. Wild found it more advantageous to seek a collaborative solution than to be forced into court over a situation where people would be told to leave without having anywhere else to go.
“The agreement we reached with Toms River is an example of how NJ municipalities can’t criminalize homelessness,” added Wild. “And need to fight the real problem, the lack of affordable housing.”
Mayor Daniel Rodrick and Business Administrator Jon Salonis (Photo by Chris Lundy)
Reaching The Legal Agreement
Authorities first became aware of the homeless encampment during the summer of 2023 when Ocean County Air Support Squadron (OASS) members spotted rows of tents near high-tension wires during a routine aerial patrol.
Shortly after, JCP&L’s parent company, which owns a portion of the property, posted “no trespassing” signs, prompting warnings to the encampment’s residents to relocate. The camp was subsequently moved to public property within Winding River Park.
Toms River police have visited the location for various reasons, including emergency situations. However, it wasn’t until a year ago that Wild and township officials began talking about what could be done to close the camp. The goal was to ensure residents had a place to go.
The turning point came after Mayor Rodrick and Wild visited the encampment on a Sunday, speaking directly with residents about their struggles. Wild described the visit as pivotal in shaping the township’s response.
“Hearing personal stories of hardship, particularly from veterans and seniors and people with disabilities, reinforced the need for immediate action. The mayor’s willingness to engage with the community made all the difference,” Wild said. “I do believe it made a difference for him to meet these people face to face.”
Rodrick said he’s always been empathetic to people who are out on the streets and sees it as a complex issue. He referred to some of the individual stories as powerful, especially when he met senior citizens in their 70s with social security income as low as $900 monthly.
“It’s very sad, particularly with seniors who have worked their entire lives,” he said. “And, they don’t seem to have family to care for them, and they’re out in a tent.”
“And there are other folks as well,” continued the mayor. “You can tell they’re suffering from either addiction or mental illness.”
While a number of nonprofit organizations have visited the encampment to offer assistance, Rodrick said he felt the Department of Community Affairs moved faster when they knew he was serious about closing the camp down.
“As soon as I rattled everyone’s cage about this and put out a very strong press release,” said Rodrick. “The DCA sent me out someone and everybody moved really quickly to get these people in place.”
Pam Baker, Deputy Director of Homelessness for Collaborative Support Programs of NJ (CSPNJ) was assigned to hasten efforts to find housing for those still left at the camp.
“The real heroes here are CSPNJ and Habcore and the other nonprofits that have been instrumental in getting these people out of the woods and on a path to permanent housing,” Wild submitted. “They really deserve credit.”
Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have been allocated to assist the unhoused population in Toms River, with an initial $250,000 recently appropriated for this purpose. Rodrick explained that under the township’s form of government, he technically did not need council approval to allocate these funds but chose to involve them.
“There’s a strong legal argument that I didn’t have to go to the council,” Rodrick said. “But I did because I wanted everyone to know what we were doing.”
Rodrick emphasized that not all of the allocated funds might be used immediately. “Many individuals have already been placed in hotels by the DCA shortly after the funds were approved,” he explained. “As the weather got colder, I wanted to make sure everyone had a place to go once we got the approval.”
“We may not spend all of the money right now – it will remain available if another encampment emerges or if there are individuals in need that we haven’t identified yet,” said Rodrick. “The funds are there to help ensure no one is left without shelter.”
Toms River residents who find themselves unhoused or in danger of experiencing homelessness should call the mayor’s office or Laura Picurro, the Director of Human Services, at 732-341-1000, ext. 8461 or ext. 8460.
Wild and Brigham praised Rodrick and the municipality for finding indoor housing for the unhoused, especially as the temperatures plummeted. In an ideal world, they’d like to see tiny homes as a solution to affordable housing.
“I’d like to see tiny homes within a community,” said Brigham. “With services offered for the mentally ill and those with addiction issues, and help people gain their independence.”
Brigham has remained behind to clear the remains of the camp with the township’s permission, although the mayor has reassured him that he doesn’t expect him to do so.
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