It’s been almost exactly a year since the last residents were evicted from the Lakewood encampment. And sure, a year of free housing under the consent order that closed the camp was better than nothing. But without resources in place to help these folks readjust to society, or any consideration given to their emotional needs, the outcome was predictable: they are back on the street, or in the woods, or elsewhere without an adequate roof over their heads. And now, they are also without the sense of community and ownership that Tent City provided them.
The fact remains that it would have been far more cost-effective – not to mention far more humane – for Lakewood Township and Ocean County to work alongside advocates to build a comprehensive, sustainable community for the homeless in the absence of a shelter. Sadly, such a solution was met with not only a lack of political will, but also the ignorance and prejudices that exacerbate the “Not In My Backyard” mentality. Ironically, the homeless ARE in our backyard - in some places, quite literally, relegated to the shadows behind our homes and in our towns, because they have nowhere else to go. To this day, there is still no homeless shelter in Ocean County.
Having seen the Ocean County political machine at work, I stand firm in my belief that the primary goal was ultimately keeping the homeless out of sight and out of mind. But where exactly does that leave the poorest of the poor?
It is worth noting that Ocean County does have multiple animal shelters. Perhaps it is a hard truth that human beings do not elicit as much sympathy as a sad-eyed puppy or mewling kitten. But honestly, that speaks tragic volumes about our society. The bedraggled individual with a history of substance abuse or mental illness might not be as cuddly as a stray dog, but he or she is still deserving of compassion, dignity, and the basic necessities of life.
There are some of us who believe that a little bit of our own comfort is worth sacrificing for the sake of others. We take the phrase “live simply so that others may simply live” to heart, without questioning whether or not someone is deserving. We believe that maybe, just maybe, if enough people felt this way, those in extreme poverty would not be so inclined to give up on themselves as many often do.
For some, Tent City was a means to a better end: an opportunity to step up and do better, and many did. For others, it was all they could hope to have. With affordable housing, jobs, mental health resources, and addiction counseling out of reach for those people, a tent in the woods was their only option. They had food, clothing, and shelter. They had access to hygienic facilities, transportation, and caring volunteers. They had neighbors. Friends. Continuity. Predictability. Dignity. And it was enough.
Tent City was by no means a perfect solution by many people’s standards, but compared to overcrowded shelters, unsanitary motels, or the despair of the streets, it was better than many could have hoped for.
Meanwhile, we who serve the homeless still do what we can to help individuals with their most immediate needs, even in the face of financial and logistical challenges. We also still believe it is possible to take the lessons learned from Tent City and build upon them, creating something even better. But thus far, our pleas to those in power still go unheard – and worse, the situation for the homeless in our area grows more desperate by the day.
So what will you, dear reader, do for the least of your brothers and sisters?
Because we – and the homeless themselves – need your help more than ever.
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