A structured homeless encampment off Route 1 near Lewes received its final approval July 21, when the Sussex County Board of Adjustment approved a variance. 

St. Jude the Apostle Church, doing business as Code Purple, received variances for the minimum 400-foot setback from existing dwellings for Tharros Village, a half-acre campground on a 7-acre piece of state property. It has 28 tents for 28 residents.

No one from the public spoke in favor of or opposition to the project at the meeting, but seven raised their hands when asked who backed it.

The vote was 3-1, with Shawn Lovenguth casting the only vote in opposition. Lovenguth said after the meeting that he did not oppose the encampment, but was concerned about a lack of 24-hour supervision.

Several board members had questions about oversight and accountability.

Frank Arena, director of governance for Tharros, said during a presentation that preceded the vote that the site has strict rules and is self-governed. Volunteers visit two to three times a day, and the state police will periodically check in, he said. Two security cameras were installed, he said.

Organizers check the backgrounds of prospective residents, and they must work at least part time or attend an educational program, Arena said. No alcohol or illegal substances are allowed on the property.

There were no significant problems last year, Arena said.

The site has been largely vacant since Delaware State Police Troop 7 vacated its barracks there and moved to a new building on Mulberry Knoll Road. The barracks building was later torn down.

Tharros Village first opened for a 45-day pilot program in October under an agreement with the administration of former Gov. John Carney. It needed a new agreement with the state and local approvals to resume operation.

Organizers had hoped to reopen Tharros when the winter homeless shelters closed in March, but the approvals delayed the plan, even though the county expedited the process.

Between 40 and 50 homeless people have been living nearby in the woods, where there are unsanitary conditions and no supervision, Arena told the board of adjustment. 

Tharros, which means courage in Greek, reopened July 7, but still needed a variance from the board of adjustment. County council approved a conditional use June 17, by a 3-2 vote.

The property is as close as 250 feet from a nearby house, well short of the 400 feet required between a campground and residences off site. But Arena said the encampment is enclosed by a fence, and the view is screened by woods and state salt sheds built last year next to Tharros.

“You would be hard-pressed to see this from Coastal Highway,” he said.

Tharros is scheduled to close Nov. 30, when the site will be cleaned. Winter shelters will open the next day. There is no guarantee of it reopening, and organizers are expected to give a report on the operation to the county Jan. 15, with a presentation the following month.

“I ask for your vote for the variance today so we can continue to support and sustain the 28 homeless souls that we’ve been able to bring out of the woods and hopefully into a hopeful future existence at Tharros Village,” Arena told the board before its vote.