Ahead of Dangerous Heat Wave, Toms River Again Moves Growing Homeless Population Into Temporary Housing

As extreme summer temperatures return to New Jersey, Toms River has once again placed homeless individuals into temporary motel housing, reviving a program the township says protects lives while raising renewed questions about the region’s growing homelessness crisis.

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — With a dangerous stretch of summer heat settling over Ocean County, Toms River has moved at least 13 homeless individuals from downtown streets into temporary motel housing, marking the second consecutive year the township has used emergency funding to provide seasonal shelter.

Mayor Daniel Rodrick said the township is using remaining federal American Rescue Plan funds to pay for approximately three months of motel accommodations. The move comes as homeless individuals had once again begun gathering in downtown Toms River during the summer months.

Township revives program that previously housed dozens

The latest effort follows a similar initiative in which Toms River used federal pandemic relief funds to relocate homeless individuals living in a large encampment at Winding River Park.

While some of those residents eventually secured permanent housing or relocated elsewhere, others later returned to living in wooded areas throughout Ocean County after temporary housing assistance expired. The renewed motel placements reflect what Rodrick described as a continuing cycle of homelessness across the region, with many ending up in Toms River.

Rodrick said his administration has now helped place approximately 90 homeless individuals into temporary or permanent housing since taking office.

“I catch a lot of flak,” Rodrick said. “I’m constantly painted as this mean man who is anti-homeless. I have placed more people in housing than any mayor in Ocean County, probably more than any south of the Driscoll Bridge. It’s about 90 individuals that we have placed.”

Mayor says most homeless individuals are not from Toms River

Rodrick said the township continues to experience an influx of homeless individuals from outside the community.

“I have yet to meet a single person that is from Toms River,” he said. “The vast majority are from New Jersey, but they are not from Toms River.”

Despite those concerns, Rodrick said the township chose to provide temporary housing because of both humanitarian and public safety considerations.

“In the best interest of people, in the best interest of safety, to ensure public safety and do the right thing by both our residents and the people who find themselves homeless and displaced,” Rodrick said, explaining the township’s decision to fund the motel stays.

The mayor added that he is considering an investigation into why homeless individuals continue arriving in downtown Toms River.

“The burden shouldn’t fall on Toms River,” Rodrick said. “I’m quite disappointed that they keep being dropped off in Toms River.”

Heat and homelessness remain recurring challenge

The issue resurfaced after homeless individuals again began congregating near downtown as temperatures climbed.

Last summer, approximately 20 people camped inside the township’s municipal parking garage during another prolonged heat wave. Following that incident, the Toms River Township Council adopted an ordinance restricting access to the garage, prohibiting camping and the storage of personal belongings, and establishing penalties for violations. The ordinance also drew criticism from homeless advocates who argued the township should expand long-term housing solutions instead of increasing enforcement.

It turned out that the encampment was part of a greater political plot by homeless corporations that were being paid per head to care for those individuals and to create political pressure for the mayor.

Rodrick has repeatedly said many homeless individuals struggle with addiction or mental illness and believes communities across New Jersey need to share responsibility for addressing the crisis.

“The truth of the matter is we really do have a drug and homeless issue in this country,” he said.

With another period of extreme heat underway, township officials say the temporary motel placements are intended to protect vulnerable individuals while reducing safety concerns in public spaces. What happens after the three-month program ends, however, remains uncertain as Ocean County continues to grapple with a growing homeless population. Neither county nor state officials have announced any long-term funding plans for Mayor Rodrick to continue placing these individuals into housing.

Rodrick said he will continue being an advocate for the homeless, but said the importing of homeless individuals into his town by homeless agencies seeking to make a profit or push a political narrative needs to be stopped and that county officials should also assist as Toms River is the seat of Ocean County.

Key Points

• Toms River has placed 13 homeless individuals into temporary motel housing ahead of a dangerous summer heat wave.
• Mayor Daniel Rodrick said the township has now helped place about 90 homeless individuals into housing using, in part, remaining American Rescue Plan funds.
• The mayor says homelessness is a regional issue and argues Toms River should not bear the burden alone as the county continues to face a growing homeless population.

Related: Toms River, Daniel Rodrick, Ocean County, Homelessness, American Rescue Plan, Toms River Township Council