County Needs to Address Voucher Motels, Homeless Problem

In 2006, Lower Township engaged in a heated and ultimately successful battle to control a nuisance motel. There were hundreds of police calls to the motel in 2004 and 2005, ranging from disorderly persons to narcotics search warrants. The activities at this location resulted in an outcry from residents in the Villas area, and led council to take action in a resolution to the county (2006-213) which included not only a request that the Board of Social Services find a solution to the assignment of rental assistance clients to the motel, but also included in that resolution a request that the county address the homeless problem by exploring the possibility of a homeless shelter. A petition drive organized by a local barbershop resulted in hundreds of signatures in support of council taking action. The efforts by government and residents were effective, and the motel ceased to be the problem it once was. However, it took years to correct the damage done in the surrounding neighborhood.
In 2011, a new owner purchased the motel, renamed it, and requested to be eligible to house Board of Social Services clients receiving rental assistance. In a letter dated Oct. 20, 2011, Social Services Board (current Freeholder Kristine Gabor was a member at this time) recited the history of this motel and noted Board of Social Services suspended reimbursement for rental assistance clients at the motel.
The board went out of their way to explain that the new owner would be given a “trial period.” The board requested that they be notified of any incidents of lawlessness as the board reserved the right to suspend future rental assistance payments. As Lower Township manager in 2011, I was aware that dialogue took place between Lower Township Solicitor Michael Donohue and County Counsel James Arsenault regarding such issues as a zero tolerance policy at this location. I can say with direct knowledge that this motel is nowhere near the problem it once was, and this is in no small measure due to the actions of the town residents and council, especially then Councilman Mike Beck, now mayor of Lower Township. They protected their neighborhood.
And so, through my role in government as a police officer, mayor of Middle Township, Lower Township manager, and most importantly, as a resident who lives in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township, I have come to the following conclusions:
The county does have the ability to control the flow of the voucher program, and can control where the vouchers are used. Lower Township managed to get control of their problem motel. Why was that not a warning flag and the same consideration given to other towns, such as Middle Township?
Middle Township government needs to get a copy of Lower Township’s resolution, and pass a similar piece of legislation. Many of us have been watching as the Rio Grande section has been victimized by these placements. Demand action before people begin to move away from this area.
Towns such as Lower, Middle, and Wildwood need to pressure freeholders to solve the homeless problem once and for all. This is where the bulk of motel assignments occur. The municipalities cannot do this on their own, and the issue of homelessness belongs to every municipality, every town, it is not just the problem of a few towns. Perhaps if one of the freeholders lived near one of these motels, the solution would be found overnight. But don’t hold your breath, as Committeeman Tim Donohue stated at the Jan. 20 Middle Township Council meeting, “The county is in denial about the problem.”
And lastly, I would like to address Freeholder Gabor’s accusation of insensitivity on my part. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a police officer, mayor, and town manager, I have seen my share of homeless. They are overwhelmingly good people in legitimate need of help and support, and deserve a safe and clean place to shelter. But there is undeniably an element inside these motels’ assignments who are not victims, but victimizers. I remember that a homeless mother with her child housed at the old Lower Township motel left in the middle of the night, scared of the out-of-control activities (such as drug deals in the hallways) at that place. I wonder if any freeholders have ever spent a night at any of these motels.
But remember one very important point; government has a responsibility to protect the individual, but also the responsibility to protect a neighborhood. Who is looking out for Rio Grande while we are looking out for the homeless? And now that the police are increasing patrols, who pays for this? To use Freeholder Gabor’s term, perhaps we should be appalled at the treatment shown the residents of Middle Township and especially Rio Grande.
Let’s fix this problem before we reach the point where the damage done cannot be reversed. The ball is in the county’s court. Do something.