Long Branch Residents Plea To Council For Homeless Housing

A winter storm and the recent cold front resurfaced pleas to Long Branch government to improve the city's aid for homeless during Wednesday's city council meeting. Several residents called for action, including a homeless man who couldn't find anywhere to go in Long Branch during the inclement weather.

"I don’t know how many homeless there are," said Dan Schlenger, a homeless man who lives on the west end. "There’s no tally because they’re afraid. Nobody wants to step forward and say, ‘Hey, I’m homeless.’ You don’t see them in here. You’re never going to see them in here."

Schlenger said he tried finding a place to stay this week. Monmouth County issued a Code Blue alert Tuesday. Code Blue alerts are issued around New Jersey when temperatures become dangerous for the homeless population.

He said he called Long Branch police, who told him they didn't know where he could stay in the city. He repeatedly called Long Branch Senior Center, which he saw listed as a warming center, but never got an answer. He only found the Trinity Church in Asbury Park.

"There’s nowhere for them to go to stay warm," Schlenger said. "It was minus-17 degrees two days ago, and I was out there."

Attendees applauded Schlenger after he left the podium. Several residents came up before him and pled for better crisis management for the homeless population.

"Maybe there is fear to call the police and have them transported somewhere," said Patty Fisher Verrochi. "Although I also have found out that there is no place for children."

Residents Marsha Brown and Avery Grant recommended Long Branch develop a task force to address homelessness. Brown suggested funding could come from tax sources such as online retailers, Airbnb or absentee landlords.

"Long Branch is so richly blessed, that talking about the homelessness problem might not be comfortable for us," Brown said. "But it really is an opportunity to make our city better."

Mayor John Pallone said Long Branch government needs to improve how it addresses homelessness.

"This obviously is a complicated issue," Pallone said. "It’s a layered issue. I have a lot to learn here. I think maybe we all do."

Watch the full city council meeting:

Photo via Youtube