More than 70% live in true poverty in Camden

from The Courier Post

By LEO STRUPCZEWSKI
Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN

The food was gone when Glen Ross arrived Saturday.

The door at Leavenhouse, a food kitchen near the corner of 7th and State streets, was locked. The windows were, too.

A woman began to pound on the door. Another man rode up on a bike.

It was just after 4 p.m. and the kitchen, scheduled to serve dinner between 3:30 p.m. and 5, was already out of food.

"They just locked up," Ross, 56, told fellow latecomers as he tied his boot laces.

Ross, wearing three layers of jackets, was lucky enough to have a few dollars in food stamps. He was headed to a nearby corner market before waiting in line for a spot at the homeless shelter.

When Legal Services of New Jersey released its Poverty Benchmark Report today, its statistics quantified Ross' reality.

Economic segregation continues to grow throughout the state and safety nets have been unable to catch people as they fall, the report states.

In South Jersey, Camden County is the prime example.

According to the report, more than 40 percent of the city of Camden rates below the federal poverty level, by far the worst rate of the state's 13 cities with populations more than 65,000. But more than 70 percent of the city's population lives in "true poverty." It's the level the report defines as unable to afford an area's cost of living.

In Camden County, the cost of living is just less than $40,000 a year for a three-person family, according to the report.

Nearly "four out of every 10 low-income families would have to relocate to another part of the county to achieve full economic integration for the county," according to the report.

It's a reality that puts a strain on city residents, said Camden Police Supersession Executive Arturo Venegas.

"We're transforming from a society where it's about machines and parts to where it's a society about information. If you can't transform, guess what? You end up with massive unemployment," said Venegas, who had not seen the report. "That creates a lot of despair in the community as a whole."

After losing his job three months ago, Ross fought to keep himself from living on the streets. He lost.

"By the time the first unemployment check came through (a month and a half ago), I was behind on my rent and borrowing from people," he said. "My landlord kicked me out."

At $300 every two weeks, he barely has enough to pay off his debts.

The next check arrives Friday, he said.

For now, he lives day-to-day, lining up at kitchens and shelters, living by other people's rules.

He eats when food is served. He sleeps where he can -- when he's allowed.

"If I get a base, a place to stay, to get washed and dressed, I know I can find a job," he said. "I was talking to a guy who just hit the streets yesterday," Ross said. "He told me he missed his house and his dog. I used to have that, too. A house and a dog. If I can get a base, I'll have it again before I get too old."

Reach Leo Strupczewski at (856) 317-7828 or lstrupczewski@courierpostonline.com