Toms River’s Homeless Camp is Closing, Nobody Will Spend Winter in the Cold Under New Plan

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TOMS RIVER, N.J. — In October, Mayor Daniel Rodrick secured approval from the Township Council to allocate some unspent federal COVID-19 relief funds to house homeless residents currently living in wooded encampments in an effort to close the camps before the winter freeze arrives.

The camp is officially shutting down on November 21st.

When Rodrick took office earlier this year, homeless were sleeping on benches downtown, loitering, and putting local workers and residents on edge. Instead of simply shutting down the camp and forcing those campers out, Rodrick has been working with state officials to find short and longterm solutions to help those people get off the streets and into proper housing.

The council authorized Rodrick to use up to $250,000 in unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for hotel accommodations, providing temporary shelter while the state works to find permanent housing solutions.

The wooded camps, which grew over the past two years, have been a concern for local officials due to safety and health risks. Rodrick made the closure of these camps a priority upon taking office, citing both public safety and the welfare of the individuals living there.