One of two entrances to Tent City from Cedar Bridge Avenue.

Beneath the Pines: Tent City's Last Days

For almost a decade, Lakewood, New Jersey, was home to a makeshift community known as Tent City. The village of tents, RVs, and wooden structures had once housed over 100 homeless seeking shelter.

After a long struggle with the local government, Tent City was set for demolition in the summer of 2014. This series documents the last days of the community’s existence, long after the majority of its residents were either relocated, or just walked away.

Reverend Steve Brigham, the community’s primary organizer, gives one of his final sermons in Tent City’s chapel.

The facade of a small shack used for storage inside Tent City.

Manny, a frequent visitor to tent city, plays with his dog Charlie within the camp.

A former resident’s camper sits uninhabited inside Tent City.

In preparation for the camp’s closing, Reverend Steven Brigham begins to load possessions into his decommissioned school bus.

Matt a resident of Tent City drives through the camp bringing scrap metals to a nearby dump.

The campsite is riddled with objects that one were part of makeshift homes.

A Tent City resident passes a puddle on a rainy day.

One of the few remaining resident of Tent City.

The remains of a demolished dwelling.

A resident rests within the confines of Tent City.

Before demolition, shelters are marked to inform crews of their vacancy.

Donated food is left out allowing residence to take whatever they may need.

Matt, a resident of Tent City, carries supplies donated by a nearby hotel supplier.

Manny and a visitor inspect newly arrived donations.

An abandoned mirror in Tent City.

Visiting volunteers Josef, left, and Steve Brigham Jr., center, sit with a resident, right.

A recreational vehicle belonging to Reverend Steve Brigham.

Reverend Steve Brigham, left, Josef, center, and an unnamed visitor, right, visit Alex, a Tent City resident protesting in Lakewood’s town square.

Abandoned clothing form a human shape on the camp's sandy ground.

Reverend Steve Brigham disassembles a tent.

A truck carries the remains of a recently demolished Tent.

The site of a demolished tent.

Tent City residents march on Lakewood’s town square in opposition to the camp’s forced closure.

An American Flag hangs at the second entrance to Tent City from Cedar Bridge Avenue.

A third entrance to Tent City on Vine Street.

Alex protests in the center of Lakewood’s town square.