Yesterday, the City of Camden announced that it would be shutting down “Tent City,” a homeless community, on April 15. Its residents prefer the name Transition Park and have sought refuge there after bouts with drugs, gambling, jail, the economy, and a myriad of other circumstances which are not so black-and-white.
While I was there, Gino Lewis, Director of Community Development for Camden County, stopped by to explain their options. Paper work, welfare-funded housing and transitional facilities were a few options he touched upon, stating that there will be no eviction by force come the 15th. He noted that this is more of a “social experiment” and if it goes well other smaller, similar enclaves will be closed down as well.
While some I spoke to can’t wait to make a deposit on an apartment, many regard Transition Park as their home and their safety buffer from the bad influences on the streets. While Lewis was there, many residents verbally accosted him, claiming they had no more faith to spare in the social services system and would rather stay in Transition Park.
You can read more about the story here in an article written by colleague, Deborah Hirsh, in the Courier-Post.
