Camden calls on surrounding towns to take care of homeless

Camden is sending a message to surrounding towns: Take care of your own homeless.

 

Mayor Dana Redd believes the city already has enough facilities to accommodate its homeless population, according to the city’s director of planning and development.

 

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Edward Williams said Camden does not want to let any new facilities open to feed and shelter the homeless.

“Many of those who are homeless are not Camden residents. They’re coming from other cities and counties,” Williams said. “It’s very important to send a proper and appropriate signal out to the public that it’s a regional problem and that those within the region — counties and borough governments — must share in the burden of taking care of their own.”

Williams said Camden is trying to reduce its dependence on state resources. It’s unfair for the city to be expected to care for the region’s homeless population, he said.

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