Howell homeless camp residents thankful for donations, each other

HOWELL - Some of the people have simply fallen on hard times. Others work full-time but simply can't afford rent, let alone a mortgage.

But inside their tents, just off Route 9, the homeless people camped out in Howell have warmth. And they have a community.

“You can’t judge somebody by their lack of housing. You have to evaluate everybody on a personal level,” said the Rev. Steve Brigham. “You can’t group everyone into the same bushel basket.”

Brigham is the director of Destiny's Bridge, a nonprofit that operates a homeless camp in Howell. It was started two years ago, in the wake of the shutdown of "Tent City," a Lakewood homeless camp of hundreds.

But the Howell homeless camp has something Tent City could never achieve: Legal status.

“It gives me peace of mind, and also the residents get a sense of dignity,” Brigham said. “You’re not an outlaw."

MORE: Howell officially supports homeless camp

Many of Brigham's residents work full-time but simply don't take home enough money to pay for shelter. One family – a mother and son – works at a grocery store in southern Ocean County and commutes to work each day.

But with Jersey Shore living costs, they can only have a place of their own during the cold months, finding cheap winter rentals.

Another woman, a housekeeper in Lakewood, lived in an illegal camper on a homeowner’s property. When her husband died and she could no longer afford the rent, the landlord called the police instead of evicting her.

And while Thanksgiving dinners are planned elsewhere, Brigham's homeless community will settle for hearty soups and a warm sleeping bag.

MORE: Homeless in Howell try to survive winter

RELATED: Community outpouring for Howell homeless camp

“The people in the camp? You’ll never hear one of them complain,” Brigham said. “They’re living in a tent, using a propane tank for heat and eating canned goods a lot of the time. But you’ll never hear one of them say they wish they had a big house or a big car."

A homeless camp is just a "Band-Aid," Brigham said. The “big picture” goal is for affordable housing, where residents can pay rent with just a minimum wage job – such as tiny homes.

In the long run, Destiny's Bridge seeks to build a permanent place for homeless people to seek temporary housing. Renderings on the foundation's website show multiple small log cabin-type homes, with walking paths and park benches.

SURVEY: Homeless population decreasing in Monmouth, Ocean

But for now? Simply having a tent, a sleeping bag and a bit of warmth from a propane tank is enough.

"They’re taking things as they come. And they’re thankful," Brigham said. "They’re not under a bridge or in some abandoned building. They’re extremely grateful that they have some shelter."

The Howell homeless camp gladly welcomes donations for Thanksgiving and the holidays, particularly: Canned hearty soups for its residents; blankets, sleeping bags and winter clothes for other nearby homeless people; gift cards to BJ's Wholesale Club, Walmart or Lowe's to refill propane tanks. Contact the Rev. Steve Brigham at lakewoodoutreach@gmail.com or 732-364-0340 for more information.

Mike Davis; @byMikeDavis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com