On May 13, 2010, Alison Recca-Ryan of the NJ Advocacy Network to End Homelessness provided an overview of homelessness in South Jersey and Housing First on NPR WHYY Radio as part of Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane’s broadcast.
The interview covered the story of fifty former self-governing homeless governing residents of the former Camden neighborhood, “Tent City.” Also known as “Transition Park,” this slice of New Jersey state land has been existence for five years, and after many attempts by various New Jersey homelessness non-profits to clean up and close the area, the Nehemiah Group came up with a quarter of a million dollars and a year commitment to help the former tent-dwellers back into homes of their own. Pastor Amir Khan of the Nehemiah Group, is helping to facilitate the complicated temporary shelter negotiations, assessments of those who are coping with substance addition and mental illness, and future job training and entrepreneurship programs. Former resident and Tent City board member, James Boggs had an opportunity to tell his story and Alison Recca-Ryan, rounded out the guests.
To listen to the broadcast, click here.
This story is a great example of how private sector resources combined with non-profit social services can help to end homelessness in our communities and how the concept of housing first played a large part in the closing of Transition Park.
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