May 6, 2010, 1:58 PM
There’s no easy way to say it, but Camden, New Jersey — a city right across the river from Philadelphia — has a reputation for being one of the poorest, most decrepit towns in the United States. Since the 1970s, the city has been the epitome of poverty with no solution in sight.
And when the financial crisis hit in 2006, Camden got hit hard. Really hard. Off highway I-676 at Exit 5A lies a place called Transition Park, better known as Tent City. The community even has an official website and they post strict rules for anyone looking to stay there.
If you think you’ve seen poverty, get ready to be shocked at what you’re about to see.
This is what it looks like
Source: Transitionpark.com
People have been living here for years.
Source: Transitionpark.com
Imagine living here during a blizzard
Source: Transitionpark.com
Tents have had their roof collapse due to the snowfall in the winter
Source: Transitionpark.com
Some residents get completely snowed in
Source: Transitionpark.com
But, they stand together
Source: Transitionpark.com
The rules of the tent city
Source: Transitionpark.com
Governor Chris Christie speaks with residents
Source: Transitionpark.com
Residents express their concerns to the New Jersey Governor
Source: Transitionpark.com
Residents are interviewed
Transition Park from James Aom on Vimeo.
Video of Transition Park
Camden Civil Rights Project 