TOMS RIVER, NJ – Despite growing calls by Ocean County Commissioners Virginia Haines and Gary Quinn, the county will not budget for one in the 2023-24 budget.
The Board of Commissioners announced last week that plans for a 700-bed facility, most likely in the North Dover section of Toms River as previously discussed, will not happen—at least not this year.
Instead, the Commissioners allocated $9.5 million to a federally funded homeless support program under the American Rescue Plan.
The Housing Insecurities and Homelessness Services Project will provide homeless individuals with financial assistance through rental assistance.
County officials said they offer homeless individuals seeking assistance with multiple opportunities, but those opportunities require the applicants to give up drugs and alcohol and to find a job.
Former Democrat Toms River Councilman Terrance Turnbach was one of the few elected officials actively pushing for a homeless shelter. At one point, Turnbach said he would build one in his own backyard.
Of course Turnbach wasn’t serious. Instead, he was pushing for a shelter in Jackson Township.
He lost his bid for re-election in 2021.
Last year, after a makeshift homeless encampment was being setup in Downtown Lakewood, Township officials cut down trees in the public square where homeless people were seeking shade to cool off during the hot summer months.